A full thirteen days after Rep. Virginia Fox testified that the anti-gay motive behind Matthew Shepard’s murder was a hoax, and that his death was being used advance hate crimes legislation, the Republican Congresswoman from North Carolina sent a letter of “apology” to Matthew’s mother Judy Shepard who was in attendance during her remarks. Let’s remind ourselves what Foxx said…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWm2zGTZBM0[/youtube]

Foxx’s written apology comes after multiple days of backtracking and damage control as her offices struggled with the flood of criticism received because of her remarks.

The Matthew Shepard Foundation has confirmed receipt of the letter but has refused to comment on it, choosing instead to focus on  getting the hate crimes legislation passed.

The New Hampshire House of Representatives  followed in the footsteps in the Senate approving an ammended gay marriage bill by a margin of 178-167.

The bill now goes to to the desk of Governor John Lynch, who has  said previously that the word marriage should be reserved only for a union between a man and a woman.

Governor Lynch from the Union Leader:

“I have a responsibility as governor to do what I think is best for the people of New Hampshire. I will continue to talk with the Legislature and with the people of New Hampshire about that bill.”
…

“We have been flooded with calls. People can’t even get through. The phone lines are basically jammed … I’m not going to be guided by the numbers of calls that come into the office. That will not have an impact on my decision.”

Add your voice to the flood by calling Governor Lynch’s office  at 603-271-2121.

While we wait for the New Hampshire vote to come in, watch this extremely cute but exceptionally profane video that sends a clear message to all the haters out there… Grab the headphones though cause the audio is totally NSFW.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuDJmVkPYpw[/youtube]

Main Governor Baldacci has signed LD 1020 granting marriage equality to all Maine citizens. From the Bangor Daily News:

[Governor] Baldacci made his announcement within an hour of the Maine Senate giving its final approval to LD 1020. The Senate voted 21-13 in favor of the measure after a short debate.

The House of Representatives gave its approval on a 89-57 vote Tuesday.

The proposal would make Maine the fifth state to allow gay marriage.

The following statement was released after Baldacci signed the bill:

“I have followed closely the debate on this issue. I have listened to both sides, as they have presented their arguments during the public hearing and on the floor of the Maine Senate and the House of Representatives. I have read many of the notes and letters sent to my office, and I have weighed my decision carefully,” Governor Baldacci said. “I did not come to this decision lightly or in haste.”

“I appreciate the tone brought to this debate by both sides of the issue,” Governor Baldacci said. “This is an emotional issue that touches deeply many of our most important ideals and traditions. There are good, earnest and honest people on both sides of the question.”

“In the past, I opposed gay marriage while supporting the idea of civil unions,” Governor Baldacci said. “I have come to believe that this is a question of fairness and of equal protection under the law, and that a civil union is not equal to civil marriage.”

“Article I in the Maine Constitution states that ‘no person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law, nor be denied the equal protection of the laws, nor be denied the enjoyment of that person’s civil rights or be discriminated against.’”

“This new law does not force any religion to recognize a marriage that falls outside of its beliefs. It does not require the church to perform any ceremony with which it disagrees. Instead, it reaffirms the separation of Church and State,” Governor Baldacci said.

“It guarantees that Maine citizens will be treated equally under Maine’s civil marriage laws, and that is the responsibility of government.”

“Even as I sign this important legislation into law, I recognize that this may not be the final word,” Governor Baldacci said. “Just as the Maine Constitution demands that all people are treated equally under the law, it also guarantees that the ultimate political power in the State belongs to the people.”

“While the good and just people of Maine may determine this issue, my responsibility is to uphold the Constitution and do, as best as possible, what is right. I believe that signing this legislation is the right thing to do,” Governor Baldacci said.

Welcome to the party Maine! Come on California… we’re next!