BANGOR, Maine (AP) – Acknowledging his past opposition to gay marriages, Gov. John Baldacci is urging Mainers to vote against the ballot proposal to repeal the state’s same-sex marriage law.

Speaking in Bangor, Baldacci on Tuesday said he once preferred civil unions to gay marriages. But he said he came to believe a civil union is not equal to civil marriage. He signed the gay marriage bill into law last May.

Maine voters will cast ballots on Tuesday on whether to repeal the state’s gay marriage law, which was passed by the Legislature earlier this year.

The governor also said same sex marriage is an emotional issue – and there are good, honest people on both sides of the question.

Baldacci was joined by members of the Vote No campaign.