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(For a little background - when Micheal Heath and the Christian Civic League tried to get the Maine State Legislature to agree that queers should be discriminated against and it would be written into law they they'd never be able to marry in Maine. The legislature didn't have time to get around to it that session and pushed the issue aside. The Christian Civic League went all ballistic and thought this was about the Gay Agenda. So they decided to out all the queers in Maine state government so that everyone could know their "motivations." )
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10 - HISTORY IN THE MAKING AT THE STATE HOUSE
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This week, as the Christian Civic League went public with its threat to "out" state legislators and political leaders, Maine's legislative leadership responded with overwhelming support for LGBT equality. On Wednesday, amidst a sea of pink triangles hand cut by some staffers in the majority office, the entire State House turned "gay for a day." Legislative leadership, administration staffers, lobbyists and many every day folks who happened to be visiting took triangles and rainbow stickers and wore them proudly.
By 11:30 the House was prepared to issue their condemnation of the Christian Civic League on the floor of the Chamber - John Richardson, D- Brunswick, made the statement followed by a standing ovation from both sides of the aisle. Joe Bruno, R-Windham, followed with the Republican response again followed by extended applause. Next John Eder, G-Portland, announced his party's affirmation of equal rights for all.
In the Senate chamber, Ken Gagnon, D-Waterville, read a letter also condemning Michael Heath in the strongest possible terms - he proceeded to read the names of the Senators who signed on to the letter and it was unanimous.
Governor John Baldacci delivered the following statement:
"Maine rallied to overcome white supremacy in Lewiston and must similarly rally to overcome the culture of fear that some seek to create in Augusta. I ask everyone in the State of Maine to join me with a chorus that will grow louder each day. Maine is a state that embraces tolerance and it will thrive based on a celebration of each individual's diverse strengths. Maine is a state where no one needs to live in fear that they may show up as a target on a list.
"The best response to hate comes from our very hearts, every day, with every action we take. The people of Maine are the best. The recent actions of the Maine Christian Civic League do not reflect the feelings of Maine people."
ACTION:
Please join MLGPA in thanking ALL of our legislative and political leaders for their outstanding show of support at the State House. Tell your partners, neighbors, friends, co-workers and family to call or email - each and every one of us needs to contact our State Senators and House members and the Governor's office to thank them for the public show of support. If we can generate a thousand calls and emails we will keep the momentum and message on our terms - and a sea of colored message slips will continue to show the rainbow of support for LGBT equality in Maine.
Senators can be reached at 1-800-423-6900. House Members can be reached at 1-800-423-2900. Governor Baldacci can be reached at 207-287-3531 (governor@maine.gov). Check (www.maine.gov) for other ways to contact your legislators.
**********************************************************************************************
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10 - HISTORY IN THE MAKING AT THE STATE HOUSE
**********************************************************************************************
This week, as the Christian Civic League went public with its threat to "out" state legislators and political leaders, Maine's legislative leadership responded with overwhelming support for LGBT equality. On Wednesday, amidst a sea of pink triangles hand cut by some staffers in the majority office, the entire State House turned "gay for a day." Legislative leadership, administration staffers, lobbyists and many every day folks who happened to be visiting took triangles and rainbow stickers and wore them proudly.
By 11:30 the House was prepared to issue their condemnation of the Christian Civic League on the floor of the Chamber - John Richardson, D- Brunswick, made the statement followed by a standing ovation from both sides of the aisle. Joe Bruno, R-Windham, followed with the Republican response again followed by extended applause. Next John Eder, G-Portland, announced his party's affirmation of equal rights for all.
In the Senate chamber, Ken Gagnon, D-Waterville, read a letter also condemning Michael Heath in the strongest possible terms - he proceeded to read the names of the Senators who signed on to the letter and it was unanimous.
Governor John Baldacci delivered the following statement:
"Maine rallied to overcome white supremacy in Lewiston and must similarly rally to overcome the culture of fear that some seek to create in Augusta. I ask everyone in the State of Maine to join me with a chorus that will grow louder each day. Maine is a state that embraces tolerance and it will thrive based on a celebration of each individual's diverse strengths. Maine is a state where no one needs to live in fear that they may show up as a target on a list.
"The best response to hate comes from our very hearts, every day, with every action we take. The people of Maine are the best. The recent actions of the Maine Christian Civic League do not reflect the feelings of Maine people."
ACTION:
Please join MLGPA in thanking ALL of our legislative and political leaders for their outstanding show of support at the State House. Tell your partners, neighbors, friends, co-workers and family to call or email - each and every one of us needs to contact our State Senators and House members and the Governor's office to thank them for the public show of support. If we can generate a thousand calls and emails we will keep the momentum and message on our terms - and a sea of colored message slips will continue to show the rainbow of support for LGBT equality in Maine.
Senators can be reached at 1-800-423-6900. House Members can be reached at 1-800-423-2900. Governor Baldacci can be reached at 207-287-3531 (governor@maine.gov). Check (www.maine.gov) for other ways to contact your legislators.
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Out of curiosity, what party is Baldacci? [Click, click.] Never mind; Google tells me he's a Democrat. Mildly disappointing; it would have been really cool if a Republican governor had issued that statement (with a giant raspberry to Mitt Romney).