In the coming weeks you may be asked to sign a petition to prohibit same-sex marriage. Before you sign, please be aware that the petition does not solely address “gay marriage,” but would prohibit other things as well.

The petition, brought by Michael Heath of the Christian Civic League, would also end funding for school civil rights teams, which help combat violence and harassment in the classroom. It would also prevent any unmarried couple, even straight couples, from adopting. Where does that leave the thousands of kids who need homes? On top of that same-sex marriage is already unlawful in Maine.

Sign the petition if you want, but think about what you really want our leaders to be focusing on. Maine families need jobs and affordable fuel and a growing economy. We are losing the mills and nothing is moving in to take their place. Maybe instead of a petition banning something that is already banned, we could ask our leaders to work on lowering fuel costs and bringing new industries to our state instead.

Kelly Connell

Passadumkeag