Civil Rights

One of Maine's top doctors connects marriage equality to historical civil rights fights.

"In the end, though, gay marriage is not about marriage or teenagers, and it is not even about gays as much as it is about us. Over the last 250 years, Americans have slowly chipped away the bias and ignorance used to deprive almost every American except wealthy, white men..." [More ...]

A Portland Press Herald editorial connects the freedom to marry to other civil rights fights.

"Without the rule of law - remembering that laws change and evolve - there would have been no advances in civil rights, and the "Rights of Man" would have never given rise to freedom in France and America by limiting the power of kings and nobles. Without the rule of..." [More ...]

One of the organizations pushing Question 1 is also pursuing legal means to prevent unmarried mothers from holding jobs.

"Women's rights activists have said that under the new law, unwed mothers who are kicked out can file a civil case and sue for damages while government officials who dismiss them can be sanctioned under administrative and civil service laws. Santos insisted on the Catholic schools' right to have an..." [More ...]

Maine has always defended equal civil rights for everyone -- gay and straight.

"Voters who backed the law said they did so because discrimination is wrong, regardless of the basis for it. "People have the right to be who they are" without worrying about losing a job or an apartment as a result, said singer Kattie Webber of Farmingdale. Jeanne Christie, who moved..." [More ...]

A letter in the Kennebec Journal points out that voting for Question 1 is voting against civil rights.

"This referendum allows all Maine citizens to vote on whether a minority group will be denied equal rights. As a thinking adult and a parent, I find it intolerable that we can put civil rights to a vote...." [More ...]

The people pushing Question 1 are working in other states to eliminate any and all rights for gay people.

"We've all heard that those that want to overturn Maine's law allowing same-sex couples to marry are really only concerned about "traditional marriage," that they would be fine with civil unions for lesbians and gays. There was always something disingenuous to this claim, and now news from the State of..." [More ...]