Friday, June 20, 2008

Maine Anti Freezes

A gleeful tip of the toupee to MassResistance Watch where Bud posted the news that the main Maine anti-gay/anti-marriage equality folk have thrown in the lobster bib on overturning gay rights.

After several successful ballot initiatives to reverse the very basic and benign anti-discrimination in housing and employment for gay citizens, the paradoxically named Christian Civic League of Maine will take what few marbles it has left elsewhere. According to the Bangor Daily News, that particular dwindling party of nasties admits the state's citizens have moved on. It was only able to get about a tenth of the 15,000 signatures necessary by January to try again to strip existing rights from citizens, and a third of the target they set for themselves short-term.

"We're pulling the plug," said CCL Executive Director Mike Heath. Oddly enough, his site has been real quick to update with such important news as models in windows at an Augusta lingerie shop, but this hasn't been decorated enough to make it apparently.

The ignoble aims of the group included:
  • Repealing protections for homosexuals in credit, education, employment, housing and public accomodation.
  • Barring the AG from using state funds for civil-rights teams and public school programs.
  • Reaffirmed that Maine marriage can only be between one man and one woman.
  • Forbidden adoption by gay couples.
  • Prohibited civil unions.
  • Prohibit issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
All together a very loving, Christian package, no?

Bud also includes a mention that Lexington's Mad Dad doesn't seem to have enough star power or any power. He visited Puerto Rico to attend anti-gay rallies and push an absolute ban on SSM there, including tighter strictures on civil unions or anything resembling marital rights. It failed.

Together, those two brights are not definitive. However, they do suggest that some people are tired of hate mongering and limiting the freedoms of others for no good reason. The overkill seems to be a big factor too.

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1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Oregon too. The groups circulating petitions to repeal the new non-discrimination law and domestic partnership law have given up. Yay! That leaves that many more OR people free to lend their hand in defending marriage equality in CA.