Maine Human Rights Referendum (2009)
This ballot measure article needs to be updated. | Voting on Civil Rights |
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| Ballot Measures |
| By state |
| By year |
| Not on ballot |
| Maine Human Rights Referendum | |
| initiated constitutional amendment | |
| Year | 2008 |
| Subject | Bans same sex marriage and removes LGBT protections |
| Sponsored by: | Maine Christian Civic League |
| Opposed by: | Equality Maine |
| Current Status | |
| Status | Filed |
The Maine Human Rights Referendum is a veto referendum that would allow voters to approve or repeal the Maine Human Rights Act which bans discrimination based on sexual orientation in the areas of housing, education and employment and would also place a ban on same-sex marriage.[1]
Specifically the measure will:[2]
- Clarify marriage law limiting the institution of marriage to one man and one woman.
- Forbid the establishment of civil unions.
- Clarify adoption law to allow only one person, or a married couple, to adopt.
- Remove the designation "sexual orientation" from the Maine Human Rights Act.
- Eliminate funding for the Maine attorney general’s school civil rights team program.
The effort must first collect 55,000 valid signatures in order to qualify the referendum. In 2005, a similar measure was defeated.[3]
Contents |
Support
The initiative is sponsored by Michael S. Heath from the Christian Civic League.[4]
Opposition
Equality Maine, a gay rights group, is opposing the initiative and has accused of being too broad and has hinted not even constitutional.[5]
The Maine Civil Liberties Union, Equality Maine and the Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) have sent a 12-page letter to Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap outlining what they say is wrong with a proposed referendum question.[6]
See also
- Maine 2009 citizen initiatives
- Maine Initiative and Referendum Law
- Campaign finance requirements for Maine ballot measures
External links
Additional reading
- Kennebec Journal, Referendum question restricts liberties of all, April 16, 2008 (Op-ed)
- Bangor News, Civic League Strikes First, April 18 2008
References
- ↑ WMTM News, Anti-Gay Rights Proposal Advanced, April 10, 2008
- ↑ Bangor News, Gay rights groups oppose language in referendum, April 16, 2008
- ↑ Bangor News, League fighting gay rights in Maine, April 10, 2008
- ↑ Maine Christian Civic League Record, Time for another referendum on gay rights, March 29, 2008
- ↑ Gay News, Maine Measure Would Wipe Out LGBT Protections, April 10, 2008
- ↑ Bangor News, Gay rights groups oppose language in referendum, April 16, 2008
