All Should Be Welcome

As our church congregation sang “All Are Welcome” on a recent Sunday, I thought about how sad it is that some Maine businesses still discriminate against people because of their sexual orientation. Unless a majority of Maine voters vote No on Question 1 this fall, the state of Maine will continue to permit such discrimination.

In June of this year our church pastor conducted a commitment ceremony for two members of our church congregation. Various friends and coworkers were aware of the ceremony. One week after the ceremony, one of the two who were united was fired from her position with a local company. No notice or reason was given. It seems likely that she was fired because of her sexual orientation.

The Maine Legislature passed a bill to correct this situation, prohibiting sexual orientation-based discrimination in housing, employment, credit, education, and public accommodations, but it is on hold while opponents of the law seek to have it repealed via Referendum Question 1 on the November ballot. Polls indicate that most Maine people support the law, but it will not stand unless those people go to the polls and vote No on Question 1. We know that the folks who favor discrimination will show up, so if we do not, we are morally responsible for the continuing persecution of our gay and lesbian neighbors, friends, and family members.

Our family is fortunate in that our gay son works for the Maine state government, which for many years has had a non-discrimination policy that includes non-heterosexuals (as well as people of all ages, races, religions, etc.). That is, Maine state government allows the same rights to gays as they do to heterosexuals. Laudable as this policy is, however, Maine continues to be the only state in New England that does not prohibit citizens from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation. We have four children, and state government should not be the only place in Maine where our son can enjoy the same opportunities as his brother and sisters.

Unfortunately, a vocal and well-organized minority of Mainers has prevented Maine from joining the rest of New England in prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation. Our gay and lesbian friends and neighbors should not have to face discrimination because of a heckler’s veto. The governor and the Legislature, Republicans and Democrats, have done their part in enacting this new law, but it cannot take effect until citizens do their part and defeat Question 1.

Our leaders have done their part, but it is time for the rest of us to lead by showing up at the polls. It is time for the tolerant majority in this state to have the courage and commitment to make sure that the vote on Question 1 reflects our values, not the hecklers’ values.

The fact is, discrimination in Maine does not just impact adults seeking employment, housing, and so on. I have no doubt that some young people observe Maine adults’ discrimination against gays and lesbians and copy it by bullying on our school grounds. Even if kids do not witness discrimination by adults, they know that the law permits such discrimination. If our laws do not reflect our values, how can we teach those values to our children?

Although many schools are implementing anti-bullying programs, gay and lesbian students are still frequently the victims of harassment and even violence. They will often fail to report incidents, for fear of drawing attention to themselves. Imposing this sort of loneliness and isolation on a child is simply unconscionable. I believe that most Maine people, if they knew how common anti-gay bullying and discrimination were, would vote to stop them. Maine people are tolerant and kind, but we need to speak up against those who do not share our values, and we need to take a stand at the polls this fall.

Christians disagree on many things, but there is at least one guiding principle we share with each other and with all the world’s religions: “Love thy neighbor.” I ask all my neighbors in the state of Maine to show their love for their neighbors and for our state’s children this fall by voting No on Question 1.

Fern and Bill Stearns are residents of Milford.