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Maine is fifth state to legalize same-sex marriage: A legislative move

Governor John Baldacci signed legislation May 6 that makes Maine the fifth U.S. state to allow same-sex marriages, and only the second to approve the unions without the threat of a court order.

Maine now joins Vermont, Massa chusetts, Connecticut and Iowa in permitting same-sex marriage. Lawmakers in neighboring New Hampshire have also taken steps toward approving same-sex marriage, but Governor John Lynch has not said whether he will sign or veto the bill.

Methodist court says no to clergy performing same-sex weddings: Judicial Council rejects resolutions by West-coast conferences

The United Methodist Church’s highest court has ruled that clergy may not officiate at same-sex unions, even in states where such marriages are legal.

The church’s nine-member Judicial Council rejected separate resolutions passed by the California-Nevada and California-Pacific conferences that voiced support for clergy who officiate at such unions.

Last year, the denomination upheld rules in its Book of Discipline, or constitution, that Methodist churches cannot be used to host same-sex unions and that clergy are prohibited from officiating at them.