Webinar scheduled on Maine's gay marriage law

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) —Advocacy groups are holding a webinar for same-sex couples who are interested in getting married under Maine's new marriage law.

The free online seminar will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday and answer common questions that gay couples may have, such as what's required to get married in Maine, what protections it will provide, which other states will honor the marriage and what is required if gay couples have already gotten married in another state.

The webinar is being put on by Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, EqualityMaine and the Maine Women's Lobby.


Portland to offer marriage licenses at 12:01 a.m.

PORTLAND, Maine (AP)—Portland City Hall is not only going to open on the Saturday that Maine's same-sex marriage law goes into effect, it's going to open at 12:01 a.m. for those eager to get married as soon as legally possible.

City spokeswoman Nicole Clegg said the decision was made Thursday following a discussion about logistics and feedback from staff. Ian Grady, communications director for EqualityMaine, said people who have been waiting years “literally don't want to wait another second.”

Augusta is another city that's keeping Saturday hours, but it will open later on the morning of Dec. 29.

Voters in Maine, Maryland and Washington approved laws Nov. 6 legalizing same-sex marriage.

There's no waiting period in Maine, so people can tie the knot once the marriage license is received.