Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-08), Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, today lauded the Maine State Legislature and Governor John Baldacci for making Maine the fifth state to legalize same-sex marriage. Maine can now be counted among the nation’s most gay-friendly states, a list which includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa and Vermont (California, which would have been the sixth state, legalized gay marriage but subsequently passed a voter initiative reinstating a ban).

“Today, Maine joined the prestigious but growing club of states granting gay citizens the fundamental right of marriage,” said Rep. Nadler. “This is a bold testament to Maine’s protection of the civil rights of all of its citizens. Congratulations to Maine and, once again, I look forward to the rest of the country following suit.”