Maine - what are you thinking?
Ok - so not all of Maine. Maine was on the right track. Although they were the only state in New England that did not have an anti-discrimination policy for its GLBT citizens. Today, after a petition drive to collect 50,000 signatures to repeal the new legislation, passed in March and amends the Maine Human Rights Act making discrimination in employment, housing, credit, public accommodations and education based on sexual orientation or gender identity illegal. Common sense right? Well not to the Christian Conservative League... go figure.
The Christian Civic League which organized the petition accused the legislature and Gov. John Baldacci of attempting to subvert the will of the people.
“The very same gay rights bill that has two times been rejected by the voters,” will be on the ballot again, said Michael Heath of the Christian Civic League, predicting a fourth victory.
“We knew this day was inevitable,” said Jesse Connolly, campaign manager for Maine Won’t Discriminate, a group formed to fight the repeal attempt. “We are ready and eager for the campaign to begin.”
Baldacci, who proposed the legislation said Tuesday afternoon that his administration would fight to keep the law on the books.
“There are some in this state who want to move us backward,” Baldacci said. “Maine is the only New England state that does not offer these civil rights protections. We need to show that our doors are open to all people.”
Following the announcement today that the Christian Civic League will submit over 50,519 signatures to force a state-wide referendum on a recently passed bill to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation, Speaker of the House John Richardson issued the following statement:
"Three months ago men and women from all parts of Maine and all political parties stood together to pass landmark legislation to protect people of all sexual identities from discrimination in the workplace, in housing, lending and education. That was a proud day for Maine.
"I am not surprised by today’s announcement that Michael Health and the Christian Civic League have submitted signatures to the Secretary of State for verification that would force a referendum on that issue.
"I am also not disappointed by today’s announcement. I welcome the chance to go before the people of Maine and defend this policy. I think that this is an opportunity for Maine to join the rest of New England in saying that it is wrong to let the majority of society dictate to the minority the rights they should have.
"I hope that in the coming months we can have an open and honest debate about why the people of Maine should stand behind eliminating discrimination and support this policy."
House Majority Leader Glenn Cummings and Assistant Majority Leader Bob Duplessie issued the following statement:
Posted by Bryan Harding
The Christian Civic League which organized the petition accused the legislature and Gov. John Baldacci of attempting to subvert the will of the people.
“The very same gay rights bill that has two times been rejected by the voters,” will be on the ballot again, said Michael Heath of the Christian Civic League, predicting a fourth victory.
“We knew this day was inevitable,” said Jesse Connolly, campaign manager for Maine Won’t Discriminate, a group formed to fight the repeal attempt. “We are ready and eager for the campaign to begin.”
Baldacci, who proposed the legislation said Tuesday afternoon that his administration would fight to keep the law on the books.
“There are some in this state who want to move us backward,” Baldacci said. “Maine is the only New England state that does not offer these civil rights protections. We need to show that our doors are open to all people.”
Following the announcement today that the Christian Civic League will submit over 50,519 signatures to force a state-wide referendum on a recently passed bill to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation, Speaker of the House John Richardson issued the following statement:
"Three months ago men and women from all parts of Maine and all political parties stood together to pass landmark legislation to protect people of all sexual identities from discrimination in the workplace, in housing, lending and education. That was a proud day for Maine.
"I am not surprised by today’s announcement that Michael Health and the Christian Civic League have submitted signatures to the Secretary of State for verification that would force a referendum on that issue.
"I am also not disappointed by today’s announcement. I welcome the chance to go before the people of Maine and defend this policy. I think that this is an opportunity for Maine to join the rest of New England in saying that it is wrong to let the majority of society dictate to the minority the rights they should have.
"I hope that in the coming months we can have an open and honest debate about why the people of Maine should stand behind eliminating discrimination and support this policy."
House Majority Leader Glenn Cummings and Assistant Majority Leader Bob Duplessie issued the following statement:
“When we passed the bill, we were working to move Maine forward along with our neighboring states in New England, who have already passed laws to require equal protection regardless of sexual orientation. It was our effort to make Maine no longer unique in our state’s acceptance of bigotry.
It is disappointing that the Christian Civic League would dedicate so much time and energy toward curtailing the basic rights of others.
It is now the responsibility of the people of Maine to decide whether they support equal protection for all."
Posted by Bryan Harding
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, June 29, 2005 at 11:17 AM.
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