(Augusta, Maine) More than 1,000 people attended a rally in Augusta decrying legislation that would legalize same-sex marriage in Maine. Outside the Civic Center, dozens of supporters of gay marriage held a candlelight vigil.
The Sunday rally was organized by the Washington-based Christian Family Research Council, which regularly fights gay marriage issues nationally.
“We’re here not motivated by anger or hate,” Tony Perkins, president of Christian Family Research Council, told the rally. “We’re here because we care. We care about families and children in Maine. And the protesters. We care about them as well. Those folks trying to redefine marriage are not our enemies.”
Last month, state Sen. Dennis S. Damon (D) announced he would introduce legislation to repeal Maine’s so-called Defense of Marriage law, which bars same-sex marriage, and a bill that would make marriage gender-neutral.
Neither bill has been filed so far.
Damon said the legislation would affirm that no religious organization would be forced to conduct a same-sex marriage. If passed, the bill would recognize same-sex marriages from other areas where they currently are legal.
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