Gay-marriage bills corner 2 governors

By Valerie Richardson
Monday, May 4, 2009

Two New England governors are facing a choice between their principles and their party as same-sex-marriage bills move nearer to landing on their desks.

New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch and Maine Gov. John Baldacci had staked out clear positions against gay marriage before this year's legislative sessions. Then bills to extend marriage to same-sex couples began moving faster than expected through the Maine and New Hampshire legislatures.

The bills' supporters and detractors have been divided largely along party lines, with Democratic legislators overwhelmingly in favor. The problem for Mr. Baldacci and Mr. Lynch is that they are Democrats, and New England Democrats who oppose gay marriage are increasingly rare. the rest