As the good people in Maine and California know all too well, legalizing same-sex marriage doesn't easily become a done deal. New England is the home to most of the states that have legalized same-sex marriage. Massachusetts was first in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage in 2004. Most recently in New England, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine passed same-sex laws in 2009; Connecticut passed theirs in 2008. In Maine their same-sex marriage law passed on May 6, 2009 and it was to go into effect on September 1, 2009; but, it was overturned by popular vote 64 days later on November 3, 2009. In Rhode Island lawmakers have tried to pass same-sex legislation annually since 1997. The uphill battle in the Ocean State has been due in large part to Republican (and virulently homophobic and transphobic) governor Donald Carcieri. That battle has taken a significant change, and while it ain't over until the lady sings, Rhode Island appears poised to become the next state to legalize marriage equality.
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