For the first time, the LGBT community has been the one to opt for putting the equal rights of a minority group up to a vote by the majority. It'll all go down this November in Maine, when voters in the decide whether or not to adopt marriage equality. Details follow. 

According to the Press Herald:

Advocates of same-sex marriage turned in more than enough signatures to move ahead with a citizens initiative that would allow gay and lesbian couples to marry in Maine, the Secretary of State's Office ruled Thursday. More than 85,000 voter signatures were declared valid. The advocacy groups needed at least 57,277 valid signatures for their bill to get to the Legislature. Lawmakers now will be presented with a citizens initiative proposing the legalization of gay marriage in Maine. Currently, seven states and the District of Columbia allow gay marriages. Lawmakers have the option of passing the bill as proposed, but they likely will send it to voters in November. Advocates of same-sex marriage, who lost in 2009 at the ballot box in a 53-47 percent vote, say enough Mainers have changed their minds that the measure will pass this time.

Maine's gay activists are willing to put their civil rights up for a vote because they believe enough of the majority is on their side. Fingers crossed they're right, but we cannot forget about the Bradley Effect!

Do you think Maine's LGBT leaders are making the right move?

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