Maine Republicans vote to ignore Supreme Court, continue opposing same-sex marriage

An attempt to amend the Maine Republican Party platform to remove a plank opposing same-sex marriage was voted down at the Party’s convention at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor today, despite the fact that equal marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples is now the law of the land across the country.

The amendment, submitted by State House of Representatives staffer Ryan Lorrain and supported by a group of younger Republicans, would have removed the claim “Marriage is defined as the union of one man and one woman” from a section of the platform outlining “family values.”

“In my opinion, it is now time for us all to accept this change given that the Supreme Court has ruled that same-sex marriage is legal in the United States and has been in Maine since 2012,” said Lorrain in an open letter to his fellow Republicans. “Our stance on such divisive social issues are a deterrent from becoming part of the Republican Party. According to polls, our position on this issue is an unpopular stance among young people and increasingly it is becoming less of an issue for our older generations regardless of political affiliation. To put this in perspective in Maine, as the oldest state in the United States, we are digging our party’s grave.”

According to media reports, the amendment was one of the first issues taken up as the convention opened Friday morning and was voted down in a voice vote by the delegates.

At Maine GOP convention, attendees vote to keep language in party platform saying marriage is only between man and woman #mepolitics

— Kevin Miller (@KevinMiller207) April 22, 2016

“This decision is morally wrong and bad for Maine’s economy,” said Heather Sanborn, co-owner of Rising Tide Brewing Company, in a release issued by the Maine Small Business Coalition following the vote. “Our business relies on being able to attract the best employees and the best customers. When our state leaders tell people that they’re not welcome here, that becomes harder. It hurts Maine families and Maine businesses.”

Photo via Twitter/Maine GOP