Week of April 17, 2017

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Three-year-old Emerson Merrill-Maguire (center) looks at a book with his parents, Melinda Merrill-Maguire (left) and Charissa Merrill-Maguire, during the boy's birthday party at their home in Hampden. "Most people, if they knew families like ours personally, would understand that we really are no different," said Melinda Merrill-Maguire. "Marriage is about protecting all Maine families." (BANGOR DAILY NEWS PHOTO BY GABOR DEGRE)

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Emerson Merrill-Maguire (center) looks at a book with his parents Melinda Merrill-Maguire (left) and Charissa Merrill-Maguire during Emerson's third birthday party at their Hampden home. Charissa gave birth to Emerson and Melinda adopted him in 2008 shortly after the Maine Supreme Court ruled same sex adoption legal. (Bangor Daily News/Gabor Degre)