Equality Maine and several other civil rights organizations held a press conference in Augusta today to announce the submission of an equal marriage bill for consideration this session. The legislation is sponsored by Sen. Dennis Damon.

The bill's supporters are buoyed by their recent unexpected success in gathering more than 33,000 signatures in favor of equal marriage on election day and believe that now is the time to begin the public debate on this controversial issue.

They seem to have won an early victory. Governor Baldacci, who has previously expressed opposition to gay marriage, released a statement today declaring his neutrality on the issue and stating that "unfortunately, there is no question that gay and lesbian people and their families still face discrimination."

The Maine Family Policy Council (formerly the Christian Civic League) and the Catholic Diocese of Portland will be fighting against the bill in the legislature and will likely mount a veto referendum if it passes.

Update: Here's the campaign's website. Gerald has the full bill text and photos of the event.