"Marriage is one of the "basic civil rights of man," fundamental to our very existence and survival." 

Those words, from the Supreme Court decision of Loving v Virginia, apply to loving and committed same-sex couples in the state of Maine today, 45 years after the ACLU brought this historic case forward. Last night, our very own Shenna Bellows spoke those words from stage at what quickly turned into a victory party for the Yes on One campaign. I was proud to join her, Zach, Alysia, Jon, Ed, Ryan and Oami on stage, along with our board members, supporters, friends and family members.

I'm proud of the official work the ACLU of Maine contributed to this victory. In 2009, we engaged countless faith leaders. This time around, we engaged supportive Republicans, like my new friends, Representative Stacey Fitts and Dan Demerrit, who were also there last night. Our whole team contributed hours and hours to help us win; serving on committees, making phone calls, raising money, drafting blogs and action alerts and showing up at events. 

But throughout this campaign, there was always more at stake for me personally than professionally. I knew we had done our best work. I was proud of our efforts in 2009 and in this campaign. But if we had not gained the freedom to marry for all Mainers last night, I would have walked away heart broken yet again, because I would not be allowed to legally marry the person I love.  

I'm proud to be an American, but it is sad to know that my gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender brothers and sisters and I have not always been given the equal protection under the law the 14th amendment of our constitution promises. I don't know if I can put into words what it feels like to grow up knowing you might get fired from a job, kicked out of an apartment, discharged from the military or denied the right to marry the person you love because of who you love. 

Yesterday, I had an ache in my heart that began to lift as volunteers showed up at 6:00 in the morning to canvass neighborhoods here in Portland. Countless people - some who are gay, some who love someone who is in a same-sex relationship and some who simply believe people like me, a complete stranger to them deserves the freedom to marry. This has been a humbling and amazing experience. 

I needed your support, your donations, your volunteer hours, your willingness to talk to your family and friends and your vote to make the most important and personal decision of my life. If you're not in a same-sex relationship, imagine that for a moment. Imagine knowing that you would need hundreds of thousands of strangers to vote for your right to get married. Not only that, but imagine you'd have to go door to door and make countless phone calls to strangers, asking them to support you in making this lifelong commitment to your future spouse.

It's easy for me to sometimes feel resentful that I have to do this to secure what feels like a private and fundamental right. But then I think about the members of my community who have come before me, many of whom were there last night, like Betsy Smith, Pat Peard, Dale McCormick and Mary Bonauto. I think about my friends and colleagues who are not members of my community but who stood up and did the right thing. I think about the entire staff of Mainers United, those volunteers, those donors and, finally, every single voter that voted Yes on One. And then I feel thankful and lucky to live in a state like Maine, to work for an organization like the ACLU and to have been part of making history. 

When my wedding to my partner, Trish, happens someday, it will mean everything to us, our families, our friends and our faith community. On that day, I know I'm going to be thinking about yesterday and all of the people who were part of that incredible moment for me. In a way, you'll all be there, celebrating alongside of us because you've already given us your blessing.

Thank you.