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Gay rights law sparks debate in Maine
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| Contributor | Joshua L. |
| Last Edited | Joshua L. Aug 17, 2005 08:25am |
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| Category | News |
| News Date | Wednesday, August 17, 2005 02:25:00 PM UTC0:0 |
| Description | Homosexual advocates pushing a referendum to make discrimination based on sexual orientation illegal say conservatives are trying to scare residents into voting against it by linking it to same-sex "marriage."
They say conservatives are warning Maine could go the way of Massachusetts, the only state to allow same-sex "marriage," if homosexuals are given more rights.
"Absolutely," said Michael Heath, executive director of the Christian Civic League of Maine, embracing the homosexual "marriage" connection. "This vote in November either sends us toward it or points us away from it."
The dispute began after Gov. John Baldacci, a Democrat, signed a new law in March that would extend the Maine Human Rights Act to make discrimination based on sexual orientation illegal in employment, housing, credit, public accommodations and education.
A conservative church-led alliance led a petition drive to demand a "people's veto" to reject it, and a vote is scheduled for November.
Homosexual rights advocates denounce the same-sex "marriage" tactic as a smoke screen. Maine law already bans homosexual "marriage," and language approved by the Legislature says the anti-discrimination measure "may not be construed to create, add, alter or abolish any right to marry." |
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