Senator Dennis Damon introduced a bill on Tuesday, rewriting the marriage law in Maine - that currently defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman - defining it as a union between two people.

The bill, which is titled "An Act to End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedoms," provides that any two people in Maine can apply for a marriage certificate. The new legal provision will not only allow same-sex marriages in the state, but also recognize gay marriages from other states.

Though gay marriage is a widely debated subject, Damon opines that an attempt towards this end has been "long overdue." He said: "Currently there is discrimination. Heterosexual couples who have decided to spend their lives together are treated differently than same-sex couples who have that same commitment to each other. I don't see the fairness of that, and this bill will put an end to that."

In order to demonstrate support for the bill, a news conference was held by Mary Bonauto, who is a resident of Maine and the civil rights project director for GLAD - the Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders. She said that same-sex couples who are caring and committed ought to have all the rights and responsibilities of marriage.

However, Damon's proposition is sure to face aggressive opposition, more so as the critics are questioning the timing of the bill - with the state's $838 million shortfall being the top priority of the lawmakers.