Large crowds expected as Maine takes up gay marriage bill

Public hearings begin today on legislation to allow same-sex marriage in Maine. So many people on both sides of the issue are expected that the hearings will be held at the Augusta Civic Center.

One bill would repeal Maine’s 12-year-old so-called Defense of Marriage law, which bars same-sex marriage, while a second bill would make marriage gender-neutral. Both were filed by Sen. Dennis S. Damon (D).

The marriage bill states that churches would not be compelled to conduct same-sex weddings if it would be inconsistent with their doctrine.