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I often wonder why people are so afraid of other people. One group in Maine calls marriage equality a "special right" that is "evil" and is an "attack by demonic forces." My goodness. Have they no conscience? They're just bullies. Same thing happened during the past several weeks in North Carolina. The ignorant win that way.
The so-called Christian Civic League of Maine and the National Organization for Marriage have combined forces in an effort to defeat the referendum. Interesting that Jesus never said anything against gays and lesbians, but those who fight against equality don't care. Thing is, there is money — through contributions from the fearful — for those groups fighting equality. Sad, but fear sells.
The question for Maine voters this fall will be whether to join the rest of New England, which for centuries has welcomed people of all nationalities and religions, in adopting equality of marriage for all its citizens. Will Maine stand for decency and the core American ideal: — "with liberty and justice for all?"
I have lived most of my life, and hopefully I have a few more years to see that equality is something that cannot forever be denied. What Maine voters can do this November is what New Hampshire citizens have already decided: to leave for those who will replace us a society based on acceptance of one another so that we can celebrate what unites us as humans, rather than that which divides us.
But our friends in Maine need our help. For more information, visit www.mainersunited.org and www.aclumaine.org.
By the way, as of today, there are 1,936 same-gendered marriages in New Hampshire. Every week since House Bill 436 became effective on January 1, 2010, there have been more marriages. Interestingly, that figure represents just about 10% of our state's total marriages these past three years. That's something all of us who call this place "home" should celebrate.
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