A petition is making its way around the state. It is showing up in shopping malls and supermarket parking lots and it is also showing up in a number of Maine churches.

The petition, which is sponsored by the Christian Civic League of Maine, seeks to overturn an amendment to Maine’s human rights law which was passed by the Legislature and signed by the governor in March. LD 1196, which is set to become public law this summer, adds sexual orientation to the list of categories which Maine employers, landlords, innkeepers and creditors are forbidden to use in deciding who to hire, rent to, lodge or loan money to. Right now these categories include such basic personal traits as skin color, religious belief and gender.

In Maine it is illegal for a landlord to post a sign that says “For Rent: Whites Only”; it is equally illegal to include in a job description “Muslims need not apply.” It is, however, under current Maine law, perfectly legal for a bed and breakfast to turn away visitors who are, or are who are perceived to be, homosexual. This seems like an oversight on the part of the people who crafted Maine’s human rights law; LD 1196 was passed to correct their mistake.

I am writing to urge the citizens of Maine not to sign the Christian Civic League’s petition and to vote no if it comes to a referendum in November. LD 1196 is not a radical piece of legislation; it is not an endorsement of same-sex marriage, nor is it part of a so-called gay agenda. It is not an attack on Christianity and it is not an attack on our moral values in the state of Maine.

Regardless of our differing theological, personal or political positions on the issue of diversity in human sexuality, all Mainers value fairness. There is no reason for a state whose people love freedom, democracy and equality to deny any minority equal protection under the law. LD 1196 does not grant any group special rights; it further extends our state’s commitment to equal rights.

While this is a deeply divisive issue it is not in the least a partisan one; Republicans as well as Democrats and Independents should be working together against the Christian Civic League to defend freedom and equality in our state. LD 1196 costs the state nothing. It is not an extension of benefits, nor does it seek to redefine marriage, impose alternative values or condone anyone’s lifestyle; it simply upholds our shared Maine values of fairness, equality and freedom for all.

Please do not sign the petition and please ask your local supermarket, mall and church to not allow signature gatherers to use their space. Talk to your friends and neighbors about this issue and let them know that you support equal rights for all people and

that you support LD 1196.

Max Coolidge-Gillmor lives in Orland with his wife Jennifer and their son Matthew. He is a graduating senior at College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor.