New Tactics

"This act may not be construed to create, add, alter or abolish any right to marry that may exist under the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of Maine or the laws of this State"

That's a part of Maine's new anti-discrimination law. It spells out in detail the fact that protecting the rights of gay men and women in employment, housing, and education in no way legitimizes same-sex marriage.

This seems to be lost on the far-right groups that oppose the new law. It appears that the claim that this law attacks "traditional marriage" will be the mainstay of their new referendum campaign. Their website at www.coalitionformarriage.net doesn't contain a single word about discrimination or equal rights.

This is a very politically smart, if underhanded campaign. The Christian Civic League and their allies know that they can't win the referendum on its merits alone. Their only hope is to use this kind of scare tactic.

Visit the new Maine Politics.