The Stand fof Marriage Maine coalition is reporting that they have turned in over 100,000 petitions to the Maine Secretary of State to qualify a referendum of the states new gay marriage law. This is nearly twice the 55,000 petitions necessary to qualify the measure.

This is a stunning repudiation of the Maine Legislature and Governor, who with the bare minimum of debate, threw the institution of marriage, which has served mankind for thousands of years, by the wayside. 

Once certified by the Secretary of State, which is a foregone conclusion, the matter will appear as Question 1 on the Maine ballot this fall on November 3. 

Leaders of the coalition, including Bishop Malone of Diocese of Portland (which covers the whole state), Bob Emrich of the Maine Jeremiah Project (a coalition of evangelical pastors), and the National Organization for Marriage are to commended for this incredible effort.