Nearly one year ago, Oregon faced the hateful and discriminatory Measure 36. In Texas and Maine, GLBT groups are stepping up their campaigns this week as election day approaches on November 8.

TEXAS: A proposition on the Texas ballot, if passed, would amend the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage. The campaign in Texas is the most heated, and shows every sign it will intensify over the few remaining days before the vote.

"We are making a horse race out of it for the first time in any state," said Glen Maxey, an openly gay former legislator directing the opposition group No Nonsense in November. "I believe there's a shot to win it."

The proposed amendment in Texas is the broadest to be presented to voters anywhere in the country. It would block gay and lesbian couples from marrying, prevent the state from allowing civil unions and, according to critics, could veto common-law marriages among heterosexuals.

Last week a straight group opposed to the amendment, Save Texas Marriage, said that not only would common-law marriage between heterosexuals in the state become illegal the amendment also would nullify wills and other agreements between unmarried couples. Something to think about Texas...

MAINE: For the third time extremists are trying to repeal a law that gives members of the GLBT community job and housing protections. This time it looks as though the opposition doesn't have enough votes to repeal it. We shall find out soon.

The Maine legislature passed the civil rights bill to protect gays, lesbians and the transgendered from discrimination in housing, employment and credit and it was signed by Governor John Baldacci last March.

The Christian Civic League of Maine swiftly began a repeal effort, gathering enough signatures to force the issue onto the ballot. This same group has forced referenda on similar bills three times in the past decade and gays have seen the protections erased at the polls each time. The most recent was in 2000.

A poll released last week shows most residents support GLBT equal rights, but similar polls prior to the last two ballot initiates that over turned the laws also showed gay support. Most think it is too close to know at this point.

My gut feeling is that Maine will not end up repealing the new law. Unfortunately, I do think that the anti-gay initiative in Texas will pass with flying colors.

This entry was posted on Monday, October 31, 2005 at 11:36 AM. Want to discuss? Leave a comment below.