New York, May 06, 2009 – The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), the nation's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy and anti-defamation organization, today applauded Gov. John E. Baldacci’s decision to sign legislation extending marriage equality to same-sex couples in Maine.

In the statement that was issued announcing the decision, Gov. Baldacci said, “In the past, I opposed gay marriage while supporting the idea of civil unions. I have come to believe that this is a question of fairness and of equal protection under the law, and that a civil union is not equal to civil marriage.”  The full text of the statement can be found here.

"Gov. Baldacci's signing of the marriage equality bill represents another historic step toward obtaining the security and protections of marriage for all loving, committed couples,” said GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano. "There is now important work to be done in Maine to safeguard marriage equality, and we salute Equality Maine and all whose tireless commitment to this work has brought us to this important day.”

“GLAAD urges media outlets to focus on the stories of loving, committed Maine couples in reporting on this story today and in the weeks to come,” Giuliano added.