March 28, 2024
BANGOR DAILY NEWS (BANGOR, MAINE

We, as pastors and leaders of faith communities in Hancock County, oppose ballot Question 1, which seeks to repeal the amendment to the Maine Human Rights Act of April 1997, which grants equal rights to all persons, regardless of sexual orientation. We believe that discrimination against any group of people is unjust and unloving.

As people of faith, we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves and to preserve the dignity of all persons. This universal mandate calls us to seek justice and act with compassion.

A “no” vote on Feb. 10 stops discrimination and allows the Maine Human Rights Act to remain in effect. Please go to the polls and vote “no” on that Tuesday. The Revs. Elaine H. Tobak, convener of the Ellsworth Area Ministerial Association and minister at Hancock United Church of Christ; Mac Bigelow, Northeast Harbor; Wayne Buchanan, Tremont; Roger Burkhart, Deer Isle; Christopher Chornyak, Ellsworth; Dr. Philip E. Devenish, Hancock; Dr. David Paul Henry, Lamoine; Ted Hoskins, missionary pastor at Maine Sea Coast Missionary Society; Ron Hutchins, Penobscot; Donald Kimmelman, Sorrento; Linda Kimmelman, minister at Ellsworth and Franklin United Methodist Church; John MacDuffie, Bernard; Dr. Jack Maxim, minister at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Ellsworth; Dr. Rob McCall, Blue Hill; Leo James Michaud, pastor at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Ellsworth; John R. Moyer, UCC, national staff, retired; Rev. David Stillman, Mount Desert; J. Mark Worth, minister at Unitarian-Universalist Churches of Ellsworth and Castine; Father Edwin Garrett, St. Saviour’s Episcopal Church, Bar Harbor; Dr. Vesta Kowalskis, Ellsworth; Dr. Harry C. Merserve, minister emeritus, Unitarian-Universalist Churches of Ellsworth and Castine; Dr. Sandra M. Reed, Castine


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