Thousands of Mainers ask Senator Collins to cosponsor the Respect for Marriage Act

Today, Freedom to Marry, EqualityMaine, Courage Campaign, GLAD, Maine Women's Lobby and the ACLU of Maine hand delivered over 2,300 signatures from Senator Susan Collins' constituents asking her to cosponsor the Respect for Marriage Act, the bill that would overturn the so-called Defense of Marriage Act. The signatures come from folks all over the state who have signed on to our open letter to Senator Collins since we launched our campaign last month.

Gay and lesbian couples in Maine hand delivered the signatures this afternoon to their Senator's office in Portland and had the opportunity to talk with Senator Collins staff about how DOMA is harming their families. Joseph Stackpole, 67, and his partner Richard, 69, have been together for 15 years and reside in Old Orchard Beach. Nicole and Nancy Jedrey-Irvin live with their ten-year-old son Carter in Durham. Both couples were legally married in Massachusetts. Suzanne Blackburn and her partner Joanie live in Maine and have a domestic partnership, but are waiting to get married until they can do so in Maine. Joseph, Nicole, Nancy, and Suzanne all participated in delivering the letters and meeting with staff members of Senator Collins’ office. 

We'll keep you updated on the details of the meeting with a report from the couples who were in attendence. Be on the lookout next week as we deliver constituent signatures to Senator Joe Lieberman in Connecticut!