Video from the celebration #marryME

Last evening, after the historic day on which Governor John Baldacci became the first governor in the nation to sign into law a same-sex marriage act, there was a medium-sized gathering in Monument Square to celebrate. (It would have been bigger, we're sure, but the Maine Civil Liberties Union annual dinner was going on at exactly the same time up in Freeport. We forgive them, because we assume they were having their own celebration there. Plus, they had wine and beer available - which many left Monument Square in search of...)

Some videos are below (I'll post more as they upload), but highlights from the celebration included Jill Barkley (who quoted Beyoncé's "Single Ladies" in her testimony before the Judiciary Committee) handing out Ring Pops to any and all; Munjoy Hill Representative Diane Russell managing to challenge "the opposition" to "defend families" not by having a petition drive about same-sex marriage, but by petitioning for single-payer health care, a living wage, and several other progressive initiatives; South Portland Representative Terry Morrison describing what it was like to come out as a gay man on the floor of the Maine House of Representatives; much honking from cars passing by; loud cheers and hugs among the attendees. A joy-filled time, for certain.