Olympia Snowe, the ex-Senator of Maine, stated yesterday (5 April) she now supports marriage equality.

'I think obviously this has evolved over time on the whole issue for the whole country and the nation,' she said to CNN, as reported by the newspaper the Portland Press Herald. 'We've seen a sea change in society's whole attitude on this particular issue and it's only natural for government to be responsive to those changes.'

An American gay couple have been given thousands of dollars for their dream wedding.

Jenna Eagleton, and partner Caroline Currie, took part in Real Maine Weddings magazine's third annual competition in the hope of winning the $100k (€77k)  prize.

Contestants were asked to make a video saying why they deserve to win the prize which will buy them a reception, wedding dress, tuxedos, rings, flowers and a limousine service.

Robert Frost, Maya Angelou, Miller Williams and Elizabeth Alexander have all had the privilege of writing original poems for the inaugurations of US presidents. Richard Blanco will soon join that exclusive club.

Some public officials in US states that legalized same-sex marriage in November have been refusing to marry same-sex couples but are claiming that personal bias is not the reason.

In December a county court judge in Washington state instructed colleagues that he would not be available for same-sex weddings following that state’s referendum on the issue, while two town clerks and notary-publics in Litchfield, Maine, have used a similar excuse.

Gay couples had cause for celebration as the US state of Maine held the first marriages between same-sex couples today (29 December).

Among them were Steven Bridges and Michael Snell, who were the first gay couple to receive a marriage licence in Portland.

‘It’s historic,’ said Bridges, a 42-year-old retail manager. ‘We’ve waited our whole lives for this.’

Bridges and his now-husband Snell, a 53-year-old massage therapist, had been in a relationship for nine years before they tied the knot today at midnight.

Same-sex couples who want to get married in Maine can now set a date and that date can be as early as 29 December.

Voters, by a 53-47 percent margin, approved a marriage equality ballot measure last month. It marked a dramatic reverse from 2009 when Maine voters defeated a marriage equality measure which overrode the state legislature's approval.

Governor Paul LePage approved of the certified results last Thursday (29 November) and the new law is set to officially go into effect exactly 30 days after that date.

The leading group campaigning against the rights of same-sex attracted Americans to marry has revealed that donations to the group dropped by 32 percent in the financial year leading up to US elections where it spent more than it raised.

In financial year 2011-2012 the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) raised only $6.2 million – down nearly $3 million on its funds raised in financial year 2010-2011.

Three quarters of that $6.2 million came from just two donors.

A cocky group of gay guys have taken a unique approach in fighting for marriage equality in a new video made by the website College Humor.

Even though voters in Maine, Maryland and Washington approved gay marriage last week bringing the number of US states with marriage equality to nine plus the District of Columbia, that leaves 41 states without it.

These determined gays are targeting straight men for their support by making a unique threat: they will steal their girlfriend.

Oregon could be the next state voting to approve or deny marriage to same-sex couples.

After Maryland, Maine and Washington made history by voting to approve same-sex marriage on 6 November, Oregon could be the next in 2014.

The Oregonian reports gay rights activists are now hoping the timing is right for the state.

‘This has unfolded exactly as it should,’ Jeana Frazzini, executive director of Basic Rights Oregon said.

After more than 30 consecutive defeats at the polls, marriage equality activists in the US knew all about running an unsuccessful campaign.

Finally, after breakthrough victories in four states this week - Maine, Maryland, Washington and Minnesota - they now know a lot about winning.

They abandoned a previous strategy that placed an emphasis legal and judicial equality and in instead featured loving couples and highlighted the importance of commitment.

The United States can now celebrate a historic day for gay rights after the first sitting president in history to back marriage equality has been given a second term.

President Barack Obama won the election after gaining the 270 electoral votes needed.

With only Florida’s 29 electoral votes still undecided, Obama won 303 votes to Mitt Romney’s 206.

In three states, Maine, Maryland and Washington, gay people are now able to get married and enjoy the same legal benefits as their heterosexual peers.