EDGE Philadelphia

A same-sex couple is getting their dream wedding courtesy of a Maine magazine.

Portland, Maine’s picturesque, laid-back, gay-friendly seacoast town, is rolling out the welcome mat for LGBT visitors.

At the stroke of midnight, same-sex couples received the New England state’s first marriage licenses, marking the happy end of a protracted struggle that began with a statewide defeat.

Thanks to Maine’s Human Rights Act, notaries in the state will not be allowed to refuse same-sex couples who wish to get married when same-sex marriage becomes legal later this month.

Maine snowmobilers love to have destinations for their wintertime rides, and they are working with the wind power industry on a plan to link perhaps 10 of the state’s wind farms with trails.

For holiday entertaining, forget Santa Claus and instead, think lobster claws.

Gay marriage advocacy groups say Maine’s new same-sex marriage law is going into effect Dec. 29.

After three states legalized same-sex marriage two weeks ago, wedding destinations are already receiving phone calls and emails from gay couples inquiring about open dates and wedding packages.

To commemorate Maine’s legalization of gay marriage, couples are invited to tie the knot while enjoying an intimate weekend getaway at one of three of Kennebunkport’s leading boutique hotels.

In a major victory for gay rights, Maine became the first state whose voters decided in favor of same-sex marriage. Wisconsin’s Tammy Baldwin will become the first out-gay U.S. senator.