The Maine Senate gave two nods of approval to a bill to legalize gay marriage after extended and emotional debate Thursday. The measure now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration next week, and then back to the Senate for a third, and perhaps final, vote. In initial voting, the Senate voted 20-15 to give its preliminary approval. Next, an amendment to require a statewide referendum on the matter was rejected, 22-13. Then the Senate registered its support for the original measure again, this time by 21-14. …

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