Most of the focus has gone on Virginia and New Jersey, along with various ballot measures in other states, but little attention has been paid to Maine. For the 3rd time in 7 years, Maine voters are going to the polls to decide whether or not to repeal basic anti-discrimination protections for gays and lesbians. The people behind this campaign have, among other things, implied that gays caused Hurricane Katrina and repeatedly claim that gays face
no discrimination in Maine, so who needs these laws? They say it's all just a big conspiracy for the "homosexual agenda" and an attempt to convert the kiddies. Yet they themselves
exploit children in misleading and fear-mongering advertisements.
They are desperate to defeat this law because they see a treacherous agenda, when what an uphold of this law would be is nothing more than an affirmation that gay and lesbian Mainers deserve the same dignity and respect as everyone else. The far right is terrified of anyone thinking of gays as anything more than monsters and menaces, or as permanent cash registers. If the far right wins this referendum battle, it will be a huge boon to them nationwide going into the 2006 elections.
PLEASE tell anyone you know in Maine to get out and vote NO!!! on Question 1 tomorrow. The far right excels at high turnout and they are very prepared for this fight. If you want to know more, please go to Maine Won't Discriminate.