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The Maine Public Health Association announced today that it supports Question 1 on the Nov. 6 ballot, which would allow the state to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

"The link between positive health indicators and the ability of same-sex couples to wed has been well documented," Tina Pettingill, executive director of the group, said in a statement. "Because of this scientific link, MPHA supports voting Yes on One this November."

The group referenced three studies -- two from 2006 and one from 2009 -- as evidence that it's beneficial to same-sex couples if they get the same type of legal recognition as other couples. The studies were published by the Journal of Counseling Psychology (2009); the Oxford University Press (2006) and Pediatrics (2006).

The Maine public health group cited the Pediatrics article for indicating that children would benefit from same-sex marriage too.

"Passing Maine's marriage equality law would benefit children raised by same-sex parents, specifically around their parents' rights to adoption, hospital visitation, health insurance and family leave," the group writes. "Enacting these benefits would improve the quality of life for thousands of same-sex couples and their families in Maine."

Opponents have said they are worried about the impact of same-sex marriage on children, citing different studies to back their beliefs. A recent fund raising appeal headlined "Our Children Will Suffer" references "a wide range of social science data" that shows "children do best when raised by their married mother and father."

"Please, do not leave the future of our children and grandchildren up to the selfish desires of radical activists who want to destroy the traditional family and make marriage a genderless institution," the email states.

Expect to hear more debate about same-sex marriage and children as the campaign heats up.

About the Author

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Open Season targets all of Maine's political wildlife, from Portland city government to the donkeys, elephants and independents stalking the Statehouse and U.S. Capitol.

John Richardson joined the Press Herald in 1990 after working as a reporter in New Jersey. He has covered a variety of beats, including marine issues, the environment and health care. He is now covering politics and focusing on Maine's U.S. Senate race.
John can be reached at 791-6324 or jrichardson@pressherald.com
On Twitter: @jrichmaine

Colin Woodard has covered politics and elections for more than two decades, from Bosnia and Bucharest to Washington, D.C., Augusta, and Portland City Hall. He has written for a wide range of national and international publications and is the author of four books, including "American Nations," a history of North America's regional cultures. He joined the Portland Press Herald at the end of April and covers political finance and lobbying, among other things.
Colin can be reached at 791-6317 or cwoodard@pressherald.com

Susan Cover has covered Maine politics for 10 years and worked in Kansas, Ohio and Rhode Island as a reporter. This year, she is focusing on covering the same-sex marriage debate for MaineToday Media.
Susan can be reached at 621-5643 or scover@mainetoday.com

Michael Shepherd joined MaineToday Media in May 2012 after graduating from the University of Maine in Orono, where he edited The Maine Campus, the student newspaper there. Until November he'll be writing the Truth Test, a recurring feature analyzing political statements and advertising.
Michael can be reached at 621-5632 or mshepherd@mainetoday.com

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