''I am moved to tears thinking about what this means to so many Mainers who have been denied this basic right for far too long. I am proud of my colleagues on the Judiciary Committee and am looking forward to the bill's final enactment.''

Maine state senator Dennis Damon on the 11-2-1 vote by the state's Judiciary Committee in favor of passing a measure that will allow same-sex marriage in that state. (The Times Record)

''Many people worked so hard to reach a compromise which affirms the importance of religious sanctity of marriage and now makes civil marriages available for all. This is a compromise...''

Deb Reynolds, Judiciary Chair of the New Hampshire state legislature on the passage of a bill in the state senate that will legalize marriage for gay and lesbians couples. It is reported that the House already has passed a similar bill, but the Senate's bill differs slightly in that religious organizations can exempt themselves from gay marriage. Once the bill's langauge is agreed upon by both houses, New Hampshire's Governor John Lynch is expected to sign the bill into law. (NHPR)