Gay Marriage Fight Update

Positive:
Maine had its first hearing on gay marriage. Supporters far outnumbered opponents. Public poll shows a tie. Still unclear is whether or not there are enough votes for the legislation to pass. We'd probably know by the end of April.

Neutral/Unclear:
After a high profile press conference announcing the introduction of a gay marriage bill, New York Governor Paterson has deterred it to Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith, who is rumored to have a no-gay-marriage agreement with several anti-gay Democratic senators to ensure his majority leader position.

Meanwhile on the Republican side, gay rights organizations are withholding support for New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's reelection campaign until he secures republican votes for the gay marriage bill. The Log Cabin Republicans reportedly have talked Republican senators to "vote their conscience" instead of toeing the party line and vote against the bill.

Negative:
New Hampshire Senate Committee voted 3-2 Thursday against a gay marriage bill that passed the House last month. Committee Chairwoman Deborah Reynolds, a Democrat, said she doesn't think New Hampshire is ready for gay marriage. I wonder where she got that conclusion from.