Michael Heath of the Christian Civic League, in his May 28-29 letter, is distressed that a number of prominent political candidates have spoken forthrightly about their opposition to Concerned Maine Families’ proposed referendum to limit protected class status under Maine law to those groups already included.

The central purpose of this petition is to continue to deny lesbians and gays the equal right to protection under the law in employment, housing, credit and public accommodations. Heath expects that politicans would applaud CMF for using the referendum process.

While it is true that CMF has the right to circulate petitions, it is also true that after a long history of invisibility, gay and lesbian citizens are at last being acknowledged in the public arena as human beings who have been denied basic civil rights. Gays and lesbians have gained this visibility only after four decades of protest in the face of physical and emotional violence.

The American Psychological Association recently acknowledged the damage perpetuated by discrimination by passing a resolution opposing discrimination and protesting unscientific research utilized to support anti-gay legislation.

CMF hopes to create new myths about gays and strengthen old ones through the use of sophisticated and mainstream political strategy. But the political figures, organizations and other citizens now forming powerful coalitions to oppose this referendum understand that, regardless of whatever verbal whitewash is used, it is still fear, hatred and prejudice that motivates this referendum.

CMF will be surprised as the people of Maine use their intelligence to recognize that this possible referendum is about all civil rights, and reach into themselves to find the compassion to say no to perpetuating the harm of discrimination. Jeanine Crockett, Ph.D. Psychologist, Bangor