A little over 5 years ago Shenna Bellows wrote a diary on dKos entitled
"Marry ME" in which Bellows explained why she was waiting to marry her boyfriend.
By Shenna Bellows, Executive Director of the Maine Civil Liberties Union
I’m 33, single, and I want to get married. But I don’t intend to do so until all the people I love can too under the law. With the work of a team of dedicated advocates, this year Maine will become the third New England state to legalize civil marriage for same-sex couples. And we’ll be first in the country to pass civil marriage through the legislature…and keep it.
It took a little longer than they anticipated, but
just over a year ago, Marriage Equality passed in a referendum in Maine, and when the Supreme Court ruled in Windsor that 'marriage' and 'spouse' under the law could not be restricted to heterosexuals, Shenna and Brandon realized their time had come. In a private family ceremony the two were wed this September in a service that included readings from two SCOTUS decisions as well as poems by Edna St Vincent Millay and e.e.cummings.
Now they are embarked on another mission, to bring Marriage Equality to all 50 states through the US Senate.
I just received this message from the campaign explaining the stark differences between Bellows and the incumbent Sen Susan Collins.
On Valentine’s Day in 2009, I was delivering Valentine cards to Maine legislators alongside same sex couples in hope that the legislators would take a moment to reflect on the importance of all loving, committed couples being free to marry.
It took us three more years to win the freedom to marry in Maine. I was proud to be one of the leaders of the successful Mainers United for Marriage campaign.
We made history in 2012. And we sparked a nationwide movement. Just yesterday, a federal judge struck down Virginia’s ban on marriage. 17 states and the District of Columbia now recognize same sex marriage.
Let’s make it 50 states. That’s my goal. It’s one the reasons I’m running for the United States Senate.
Can you help us get there? A donation of $5, $50 or $100 today would help us build the grassroots campaign we need to build for change.
I believe in the freedom to marry so strongly that my husband and I waited to get married this past September, after all of our gay and lesbian friends in Maine could legally marry.
My opponent, Republican Susan Collins, has declined to support the freedom to marry. She hasn’t said whether she voted yes or no on Maine’s ballot question in 2012. As an 18-year incumbent, she should feel safe enough to tell the truth about what she believes about same sex marriage.
It doesn’t take courage to stand up for love. It takes principle.
I will always stand up on principle to support the freedom to marry for all loving, committed couples. I always have.
Love matters most.
Join us in standing up for the freedom to marry in all 50 states. Donate $5, $50 or $100 today to help us build the grassroots campaign we need to build for change.
Together, we can ensure that all loving, committed couples nationwide are allowed freedom to marry on future Valentine’s Days.
Take Care,
Shenna
If you would like to
help advance Marriage Equality and a whole host of other Progressive ideas, please consider making a
donation to the campaign, and
spread the word to your friends both in and out of Maine.