MAINERS DEFEND CIVIL RIGHTS LAW

ANTI-DISCRIMINATION FORUM SPANS FAITH AND PARTY LINES

A Republican business leader, a Baptist pastor, and a retired Maine native and lesbian will share the microphone and their views on the importance of protecting gay and lesbian Mainers from discrimination at a forum on Wednesday, September 14 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Ellsworth City Hall. Stephen Shea, owner of E.L. Shea, Inc. Builders and Engineers, Pastor David Henry of Lamoine Baptist Church and Kay Wilkins will speak at the Maine Won’t Discriminate event focusing on the November referendum on Maine’s newly passed anti-discrimination law.

The speakers represent the diversity of voices speaking out against discrimination and in support of Maine’s new law. Prior to the passage of the law, Maine gays and lesbians were not protected from discrimination in the areas of credit, education, employment, housing and public accommodation. Now the law protects all Mainers, heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual, from being discriminated against in these areas.

“The civil rights legislation passed last spring says that gays and lesbians should be treated fairly as human beings,” said Reverend David Henry, pastor of the Lamoine Baptist Church, “Jesus made a point of treating all people fairly as human beings.”

The forum is the first of several around the state planned by Maine Won’t Discriminate to highlight the voices of business leaders, Christian ministers, and gay and lesbian Mainers who are against discrimination. Henry is one of five ministers, including a Catholic priest and United Church of Christ leaders, who will add their voices to the forums. In addition to ministers across the state, a variety of business executives, government officials, and non-profit leaders have announced their support for the campaign to vote no on the referendum on November 8.

“Discrimination against gays and lesbians is an unwise business practice,” said Stephen Shea, owner of E.L.Shea, Inc. Builders and Engineers in Ellsworth. “The business owner who discriminates is depriving himself of an asset that could enhance the business.”

Many Maine business and civic leaders echo Shea’s concern that discrimination in Maine could discourage both tourists and potential business investors. On Wednesday, Shea, Henry and Wilkins will talk about how protections for all Mainers, regardless of sexual orientation, will benefit Ellsworth.

“Discrimination happens in Maine; I’ve witnessed its corrosive effects,” said Kay Wilkins. “I think the Forum on Wednesday will be all the more powerful because we are three people who are not coming at this from the same place, but are folks who are all going to vote a resounding “ NO” on November 8.”

The forums are free and open to the public.

####

Contact: Shenna Bellows, MCLU, 207-774-5444; sbellows@mclu.org