Within a matter of three hours on Wednesday, Maine left its relative northern New England obscurity behind, thrust upon the national stage by the approval of one piece of legislation.

Governor John Baldacci’s signature of the gay marriage bill, passed by hefty margins in both the House and Senate, made our state only the fifth in the United States to permit same-sex unions, joining Vermont, Connecticut and Massachusetts in New England, and Iowa.

The ratification of the law has been equally heralded and panned, and promises of a citizens’ veto referendum have already been voiced.

For the moment, however, those who have fought hard to achieve the status of equality with the majority of the population can bask in such a feeling. Homosexual couples who have decided to become life partners will no longer wonder whether they, too, could enjoy the bonds of matrimony, at least here in Maine.

Such a privilege, we know, angers those whose religious, moral or social beliefs say such unions go against God and country. We know such a bill strikes fear that religious houses of worship, which might hold counter opinions to gay marriage, will be forced to perform unions.

The beauty of the law as it stands is that such situations will not, and should not occur.

Separation of church and state, the fundamental principle our nation was founded on and continues today to thrive and survive acknowledging, will keep such forced actions from occurring.

At no time will Maine State Troopers force the doors of a church and hold a preacher at harm’s length to perform a gay marriage. Churches can willingly choose to do as such, or deny the action.

We know, though, that the people of Maine, for the most part, are open to people of different races, creeds and sexual orientation. We know that churches will open their doors to such services and that families, long-awaiting the chance to hear vows spoken, will get that opportunity.

We also know that the nation is now watching us to see how we as a people react to our legislative actions. We must continue to be a beacon for the rest of the United States, providing opportunities to all, not just some.

Granting gay marriage rights is just one more step down the road that Maine has long paved, the road of acceptance and openness, not seen in many other places. We just hope that road keeps on being paved.

— Questions? Comments? Contact Publisher Drew McMullin at 282-1535, Ext. 326 or  dmcmullin@gwi.net, or Managing Editor Nick Cowenhoven at 282-1535, Ext. 327 or cityeditor@gwi.net.