1.  In the November 3 elections, voters in Maine repealed a law passed by their legislature to permit homosexual marriages.

As detailed in the September 3 issue of this newsletter, citizens of Maine used their right of initiative and referendum to obtain 100,000 signatures on petitions, which suspended the law and forced a vote on the repeal of it.  With 600 of 608 precincts reporting, the results were:

For Repeal                 299,483        53%
Against Repeal            267,574        47%

FOXNews.com said the vote in Maine was "a severe blow to the gay rights movement" in a liberal state.  "Gay marriage has now lost in every single state-31 in all-in which it has been put to a popular vote."

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops applauded the outcome of the referendum.

Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville, Chairman of the Bishops Ad Hoc Committee for the Defense of Marriage, said in a statement in Religion Today, "The people of Maine voted to uphold the true nature of marriage as the union of one man and one woman.  The voice of the people in this country has spoken once again on the side of justice, in favor of the truth about marriage."

The Associated Press (AP) reported that the supporters of traditional marriage in Maine had to overcome the opposition of the governor, legislative leaders, and major newspapers, plus a huge edge in campaign funding.

Brian Brown, executive director of the National Organization for Marriage, criticized "out of touch legislators" for passing the state homosexual marriage law.  But "if the voters have a chance to have their say, they're going to protect and defend the common sense definition of marriage."

Brown also suggested the outcome in Maine may affect lawmakers in New York and New Jersey, where homosexual marriage legislation is being considered.

2.  Newsmax.com says the Maine referendum result "is energizing supporters of the ban on gays in the military, who hope Democrats will recognize the political costs associated with repealing the policy and back down."

HR 1283, the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, by Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher (D-CA) and 183 cosponsors, would allow homosexuals and bisexuals to openly serve in all branches of the armed forces.  The bill would also establish a zero tolerance policy for anyone who criticizes homosexual conduct.

The bill has been referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel of the House Armed Forces Committee.

Elaine Donnelly, President of the Center for Military Readiness, said, "When you see the vote in Maine, a liberal state, it ought to be considered by any member of Congress considering repealing the 1993 law" excluding open homosexuals from serving in the military.

Donnelly said that forcing heterosexuals to live in close quarters with persons who have same-sex attractions would be tremendously harmful to morale.