Groups for and against gay marriage in Maine are stepping up their efforts in advance of a November referendum vote. The first question on the Nov. 6 ballot will ask voters if they want to legalize same-sex marriage in Maine.

Protect Marriage Maine has launched a couple of television ads against gay marriage. One features high school guidance counselor Donald Mendell, who says his televised opposition to gay marriage in 2009 made him the subject of complaints filed with the Maine Department of Professional and Financial Regulation.

Mainers United for Marriage has launched a pair of ads in favor of same-sex marriage, one of which features Republican state Rep. Stacey Fitts of Pittsfield. Pitts voted against gay marriage in 2009 but has since changed his mind, saying the government should not dictate who is allowed to get married and who isn’t.

Maine’s legislature approved same-sex marriage in 2009, but the law was defeated before going into effect by a referendum vote that November. In that election, citizens voted 53 percent to 47 percent to prohibit gay marriage. Same-sex domestic partnerships are currently recognized in Maine, but gay marriage is not.