Supporters of traditional marriage in Maine shocked the political world and even some of their own supporters Nov. 3, overcoming a slew of obstacles to overturn a new law that had legalized gay “marriage.”
By passing Question 1, 53–47 percent, Mainers rejected the law signed by Democratic Gov. John Baldacci in May and became the first state ever to reverse a legislatively enacted gay “marriage” statute. It was the first time voters in a state in the Northeast had considered the issue.
The law had yet to go into effect but would have done so, immediately, if Question 1 had lost. In fact, local officials already had new marriage licenses in hand that removed the terms “bride” and “groom.”
It was another major setback for homosexual activists, who have never won at the ballot box on gay “marriage” and vowed not to allow what happened in California last year happen in Maine. They had numerous advantages, led by a fundraising edge of $4 million to $2.5 million. They had a ground game and phone-bank system whose organization far surpassed what they had in California, and they also had the support of the state’s leading politicians and newspapers.
They led in four of the final six pre-election polls, including an 11-point edge in one late-October survey. Perhaps most significantly, they had the benefit of trying to get approval for gay “marriage” in liberal Maine, the third least religious state in the country according to a Gallup survey. (California was No. 13.)
But in the end, what would have been a landmark victory turned into another stinging defeat. Gay “marriage” has now lost in all 31 states in which it was put to the voters, including left-leaning states like California, Oregon, Wisconsin and Michigan. Five states have legalized it, although the change in law in those states came either through the courts or the legislature, not the ballot. The defeat is a significant roadblock in the effort by Boston-based GLAD (Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders) to have all six New England states legalize gay “marriage” by 2012. Maine is now a holdout, joining Rhode Island.
“They were targeting New England and then wanted to use the momentum to go nationwide. We said, no, you’re not going to pull it off here,” said Tim Kezar, pastor of New Covenant Baptist Church, North Berwick, Maine.
Brian Brown, executive director of the National Organization for Marriage, said the importance of the win “cannot be overstated.” The group gave more than $1 million to the Yes on 1/Stand for Marriage Maine campaign. “If we can win in Maine, we can win anywhere,” Brown said in a statement.
Stand for Marriage Maine won in part by borrowing a theme from the California debate and consistently warning voters that if Question 1 lost, gay “marriage” would be taught as normative in public schools.
“That was a big issue,” said Bob Emrich, a spokesperson for Stand for Marriage Maine. “This was going to have an impact on children — the way that children think, what children are taught. The people of Maine responded to that.”
That point was underscored in the final days when a public high school counselor learned he might lose his social worker’s license because he appeared in a TV commercial supporting Question 1.
Despite the Maine loss, homosexual activists did pick up some big wins on Election Night:
- A same-sex “everything but marriage” law in Washington state seems headed for approval as officials continue to count the state’s vote-by-mail ballots. Referendum 71, as it is called, leads by a slim 51–49 percent margin, but a large number of outstanding ballots come from pro-Referendum 71 areas, according to an analysis by The Seattle Times. If it passes, then a new law will stand that gives homosexual couples all the legal benefits of marriage, minus the name.
- A candidate for mayor of Houston who is an open lesbian advanced to a runoff. City Controller Annise Parker, who received a plurality of the vote with 30.5 percent, will face City Attorney Gene Locke (24.6 percent). If Parker wins, Houston would become the largest U.S. city with a homosexual mayor.
- Chapel Hill, N.C., elected a homosexual mayor, Mark Kleinschmidt.
- Kalamazoo, Mich., voters passed a homosexual/transgender anti-discrimination ordinance, 62–38 percent. Critics said the measure’s language on public accommodations would allow men to use women’s restrooms and would open women up to harassment.
The next battlegrounds apparently will be New Jersey and New York, both of which have movements in the respective legislatures to pass a “gay marriage” bill by year’s end.
While the issue of gay rights is not in question on the ballot in Alabama, it’s not silent in the state, either.
Several gay rights organizations announced they planned to protest a Focus on the Family “Love Won Out” conference on homosexuality scheduled for Nov. 7 at Birmingham’s Metropolitan Church of God.
“They’re telling you to hate your child unless he lives the way you tell him to live,” said Johnathan Quinn, president of Central Alabama Pride, one of the protesting groups. “Their literature tells the parents to abandon their children unless they go this route: forcing them to be straight.”
At press time, Quinn said a peaceful protest was planned on public right of way near the church entrance. Equality Alabama, Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays of Birmingham, and Covenant Community Church were among those planning to protest.
“It’s not uncommon that we have protestors at the event,” said Melissa Fryrear, director of gender issues for Focus on the Family and one of the speakers. “Our heart is that we wish they were inside the event so they could hear the help we are giving.”
There were plans for a security team to be in place as well as police on the grounds to deter any disruptions that might occur, Fryrear said.
“But if that has to happen, someone from our staff will again try to talk with them and try to share what the event really is about and how we regret that they misunderstand.”
The conference teaches that those with same-sex attractions can change, she added. “We’re offering a Christian perspective on the many issues surrounding homosexuality,” Fryrear said. “The majority attending are moms and dads who have a son or daughter living in homosexuality. We’re here to help parents who don’t condone their child’s behavior but still love them.”
Fryrear said Focus on the Family does not want parents to shun homosexual children. “One of our messages is helping parents stay in a relationship with their gay-identified child,” Fryrear said. “Moms and dads shouldn’t have to relinquish their religious convictions.” (Religion News Service, TAB)
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