The Facts

When same-sex marriage became the law in Massachusetts, young children were taught that “boys can marry boys.” 

Question 1 is about allowing same-sex couples to receive a marriage license from the state while also protecting the religious freedom of clergy, churches, religious institutions and denominations. It does not change educational policy or impact school curricula, which is determined in local school districts.

This claim has been called misleading by Minnesota Public Radio: “There’s no evidence that same-sex marriage is taught throughout Massachusetts, and the state doesn’t require such curriculum.” In 2010, PolitiFact also examined this claim when it appeared in Rhode Island and called it false.

Even the manager of the 2009 campaign against same-sex marriage in Maine, Marc Mutty, acknowledged that this argument, which was also used then, is “not completely accurate.” He called such tactics “hyperbole” and, a “lousy approach,” but acknowledged, “…it’s the only thing we’ve got.”

Allowing same-sex couples to marry in Vermont was the cause of a lawsuit against the Wildflower Inn. 

The Baltimore Sun investigated this claims and found that this case regarded non-discrimination laws and had nothing to do with the question of whether voters should approve marriage for same-sex couples. They noted that the inn owners, "faced a lawsuit not because Vermont recognizes gay marriage but because it has an anti-discrimination law."

A Seattle Times national investigation “failed to turn up any evidence that same-sex marriage had produced a rash of suits involving businesspeople. We also checked with human rights commissions in four of the six states where marriage is legal; the commissions said there was not an increase in discrimination findings or suits involving same sex marriage.”

A Canadian sports caster was fired for a "tweet" in opposition to same-sex marriage. 

The Baltimore Sun investigated the claim and found that the incident has nothing to do with the question of whether voters should approve marriage for same-sex couples. 

Here are the details from the Sun: Damian Goddard, a Canadian sportscaster, lost his job shortly after sending a tweet in support of a hockey agent who had come under criticism for opposing gay marriage. He contends the tweet was the reason he was fired. His former employer, SportsNet, claims it had made the decision to fire him for cause before the tweet and that it has documentation to back it up. SportsNet has declined to release the details because it is a personnel matter but has said it will do so if the case ends up in court. The two parties have been engaged in private mediation. 

Goddard joined the payroll of the National Organization for Marriage, which has funneled millions of dollars into anti-marriage campaigns around the country, including in Maine this year and in 2009.

 

Social science research shows that kids do better when raised by a married mother and father.

After a thorough investigation, The Portland Press Herald, Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel “Truth Test” found this claim to be false, stating: “We'll trust academic studies. There's no body of reputable evidence that two straight parents are better for kids than two gay parents.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics, The American Psychological Association and National Association of Social Workers all agree: Allowing loving, committed same-sex couples to marry is good for children. 

 

Same-sex couples in Maine already have all the legal protections they need through the domestic partnership registry. 

 

Maine’s limited “Domestic Partnership Registry” grants certain eligible couples a small handful of legal rights in terms of probate, guardianships, conservatorships, inheritance and protection from abuse. Maine does not offer civil unions.

For loving, committed same-sex couples and their families, there is no substitute for marriage. Alternatives to marriage also fail as a matter of principle. Other states that have passed domestic partnerships or civil unions have found that they just don’t work and can be harmful. 

 

Allowing same-sex couples to marry will result in a flood of lawsuits. 

This claim has been rated “False” by Maine Today Media’s Truth Check. Their research found no uptick in lawsuits in states that allow marriage licenses for same-sex couples. A national investigation by the Seattle Times “failed to turn up any evidence that same-sex marriage had produced a rash of suits involving businesspeople.” 

State anti-discrimination laws, such as the one supported by Maine voters in 2005, set the rules governing claims of discrimination. Those rules will not change in Maine, regardless of the vote on Question 1 in November and are not related to marriage.

 

Voting “Yes” on Question 1 will “redefine” marriage for all Mainers.

Loving, committed same-sex couples want to join, not change the institution of marriage. Voting “Yes” will simply allow the state to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples and strengthen religious freedom.

For ongoing fact checking of our opponents' claims, click here.