While polls characterize today's vote on whether to prohibit same-sex marriage in Maine as too close to call, recent experience in California and elsewhere should dampen expectations. Same-sex marriage laws have yet to be passed by voters in any state; either the courts or the legislature took the necessary actions in the five states where same-sex marriage has been approved.

But no matter the outcome in the Pine Tree State, it would be a mistake to believe this country's movement toward equal rights for gays and lesbians is losing momentum. There are too many indications that the reverse is taking place - that a growing number of communities are open to change - to lose faith now.

Closest to home, the District of Columbia may be on the verge of legalizing same-sex marriage. D.C. has already chosen to recognize the rights of same-sex couples married in the handful of states where that's possible. That Congress chose not to tamper with that choice is noteworthy, too.

Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler is expected to soon issue an opinion on whether Gov. Martin O'Malley has the authority to require out-of-state same-sex marriages to be recognized in this state as well, despite a Maryland law banning such marriages from being performed here. Mr. Gansler has already endorsed overturning that ban.