Same-sex Marriage | ISSUE

Gay and lesbian couples pose for a photograph marking the one-year anniversary of the day Connecticut began allowing same-sex marriage in Hartford, Conn., Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009. Second from left is Robin Levine-Ritterman and spouse Barbara Levine-Ritterman, third from left, who were among the eight same-sex couples who sued for the right to marry.

Gov. David Paterson speaks to a joint session of the Legislature at the Capitol in Albany, N.Y., Monday, Nov. 9, 2009. Paterson asked legislators to support painful midyear spending cuts to help close a $3 billion budget deficit. A special session is planned for Tuesday to enact any cuts and possibly consider other measures, including legalization of same-sex marriage.

Gov. David Paterson speaks to a joint session of the Legislature at the Capitol in Albany, N.Y., Monday, Nov. 9, 2009. Paterson asked legislators to support painful midyear spending cuts to help close a $3 billion budget deficit. A special session is planned for Tuesday to enact any cuts and possibly consider other measures, including legalization of same-sex marriage.

Two people argue their differences regarding same-sex marriage in front of City Hall, in Portland, Maine, on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009, a day after voters rejected the gay marriage law.

Kt Crossman joins same-sex marriage supporters for a rally on the steps of City Hall, in Portland, Maine, on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009, a day after voters rejected the gay marriage law.

Mary Bonauto of Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, center, addresses supporters of same-sex marriage on the steps of City Hall, in Portland, Maine, on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009, a day after voters rejected the gay marriage law.

Frank Schubert, campaign director for Stand for Marriage Maine, claims victory for Yes on 1, Tuesday evening, Nov. 3, 2009, in Portland, Maine. Question 1 was the proposal to rescind the Legislature's approval of same-sex marriage.

Partners Lisa Brackbill, left, and Lisa Pugh, right, both from Buckfield, Maine console one another along with Darlene Huntress, center, of Portland, after learning about the unofficial defeat on Question 1 at election night headquarters in Portland, Maine, early Wednesday morning, Nov. 4, 2009. Maine voters decided decide to rescind the Legislature's approval of same-sex marriage.

Friends console one another after learning about the unofficial defeat on Question 1 at election night headquarters in Portland, Maine, early Wednesday morning, Nov. 4, 2009. Maine voters decided decide to rescind the Legislature's approval of same-sex marriage.

Friends console one another after learning about the unofficial defeat on Question 1 at election night headquarters in Portland, Maine, early Wednesday morning, Nov. 4, 2009. Maine voters decided decide to rescind the Legislature's approval of same-sex marriage.

Jesse Connolly gives a grim yet unofficial announcement regarding the defeat on Question 1 at election night headquarters in Portland, Maine, early Wednesday morning, Nov. 4, 2009. Maine voters decided to rescind the Legislature's approval of same-sex marriage.

Faye Gagnon, left, Douglas King, center, and Kym Souchet, supporters of Stand for Marriage Maine, cheer as results are announced in the tight race on Question 1, Tuesday evening, Nov. 3, 2009, in Portland, Maine. Voters will decide Question 1, the proposal to rescind the Legislature's approval of same-sex marriage.

Friends console one another after learning about the unofficial defeat on Question 1 at election night headquarters in Portland, Maine, early Wednesday morning, Nov. 4, 2009. Maine voters decided to rescind the Legislature's approval of same-sex marriage.

Friends console one another after learning about the unofficial defeat on Question 1 at election night headquarters in Portland, Maine, early Wednesday morning, Nov. 4, 2009. Maine voters decided decide to rescind the Legislature's approval of same-sex marriage.

Supporters of same-sex marriage meet on the steps of City Hall, in Portland, Maine, on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009, a day after voters rejected the gay marriage law that was passed last May.

Partners Meredith Morgan, left and Susan Thomas, both from Portland, show off their matching engagement rings while watching returns at the Question 1 election night headquarters in Portland, Maine, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009. The referendum proposal asked voters to decide whether to rescind the Legislature's approval of same-sex marriage. The law was passed by the Legislature and signed by Democratic Gov. John Baldacci last May but has never taken effect. (AP Photo/Pat Wellenbach.

Partners Meredith Morgan, left and Susan Thomas, both from Portland, Maine, watch returns at the Question 1 election night headquarters in Portland, Maine, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009. The referendum proposal asked voters to decide whether to rescind the Legislature's approval of same-sex marriage. The law was passed by the Legislature and signed by Democratic Gov. John Baldacci last May but has never taken effect. The couple said they hope to get married as soon as possible.

Volunteers cheer while on stage while watching returns at the Question 1 election night headquarters in Portland, Maine, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009. The referendum proposal asked voters to decide whether to rescind the Legislature's approval of same-sex marriage. The law was passed by the Legislature and signed by Democratic Gov. John Baldacci last May but has never taken effect.

Supporters Angie Helton, of S. Portland, Maine, and Meredith Alex, cheer while watching returns at the Question 1 election night headquarters in Portland, Maine, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009. The referendum proposal asked voters to decide whether to rescind the Legislature's approval of same-sex marriage. The law was passed by the Legislature and signed by Democratic Gov. John Baldacci last May but has never taken effect.

Mary Conroy, left, and Faye Gagnon cheer on supporters of Stand for Marriage Maine, as they await results in the tight race on Question 1, Tuesday evening, Nov. 3, 2009, in Portland, Maine. Voters will decide Question 1, the proposal to rescind the Legislature's approval of same-sex marriage.