Dolly Parton appeared on the Joy Behar Show last week where she was asked about marriage equality and megachurch pastor Joel Osteen’s recent comment that gays “weren’t God’s best work.” Watch:

While Dolly Parton’s support of the gay community has hardly been secret, she does join other country music stars Reba McEntire and Martina McBride in supporting same-sex marriage.

With nearly 90% of the precincts reporting in, Question 1, which sought to overturn Maine’s same-sex marriage law, passed easily with 53% of the vote.

“The institution of marriage has been preserved in Maine and across the nation,” declared Frank Schubert, chief organizer for the winning side.

Gay-marriage supporters refused to concede, holding out hope that that the tide might turn as the final returns came in.

“We’re here for the long haul and whether it’s just all night and into the morning, or it’s next week or next month or next year, we will be here,” said Jesse Connolly, manager of the pro-gay marriage campaign. “We’ll be here fighting. We’ll be working. We will regroup.”

At issue was a law passed by the Maine Legislature last spring that would have legalized same-sex marriage. The law was put on hold after conservatives launched a petition drive to repeal it in a referendum.

Chris Bowers over at OpenLeft reported earlier this evening of the possibility of a recount. The numbers were much closer then so its unclear if they are still considering that option.

It’s a sad, sad day for Mainers, who worked so hard and bravely for equality. The rest of us, particularly those of us in California, grieve with you.

On a personal note, with every defeat we suffer at the hand of these people it grows harder and harder not to return their hate with more hate. I don’t know how much longer as a community, we can or should put up with it.

The television ads may be having an impact… In a new poll published by Democracy Corps, Mainers favor marriage equality by 9 points from a sampling of  800 plus registered voters, an 11 point swing from the previous poll. Results below:

The latest ad below…

A lot can change over the next 30 days. Show your support for Protect Maine Equality.

A-list bigots, religious zealots and rightwing hypocrites are holding a meet and greet at the Values Voter Summit 2009 in Washington D.C. this week. Everyone from Rep. Michelle Bachman to actor-turned-minister Stephen Baldwin are on hand to rally conservatives against the teaming hoards that threaten the very fabric of this nation: the gays, the liberals, and one black president.

In the clip below Maggie Gallagher of the National Organization for Marriage introduces pro-opposite marriage darling and almost-Miss California Carrie Prejean.

Okay… some one fetch me a bucket. Next up, Carrie Prejean.

Intolerant? And the crocodile tears? Oh please make the pablum stop!