I will vote no on referendum Question 1 for the following reasons:

. Discrimination is wrong; whether it is because of one’s sex, race, religion, sexual orientation or any other reason. Discrimination is hatred in action. It shows an intolerance of those perceived to be inferior to one’s self and unjustly injures others.

. Once discrimination is legalized in one form, it is harder to stop in other forms. If referendum Question 1 passes, whose civil rights will the haters attack next?

. It would be hypocritical for one who “hates the sin, but loves the sinner,” to make it legal to discriminate against the perceived sinner.

. Question 1 is not about special rights for homosexuals because, if it passes, then someone could legally kick me or you out of rental housing, or fire us from our jobs just because we are heterosexuals (straight).

. Unlike some churches in the area, my church in Houlton believes in the inherent worth and dignity of every person.

Let he or she who is without sin, cast the first stone.

Fred M. Griffith

Houlton