AP Calls Maine Gay Rights Initiative w/56% of precincts reporting

[Charlie Brown]

Maine votes "no" on repealing gay rights law.

http://www.mainetoday.com/elections/_2005/coverage/003691.html

[Mike_The_Computer]

1. Maine is beautiful

in more ways than one. Thanks, Maine!

[Zenlitened]

2. 'No' votes ahead in early tallies in gay rights repeal (Maine)

A "no" vote would preserve legal protections for gay and lesbian citizens. Just 12% of precincts reporting, at the time this article was written.

´No´ votes ahead in early tallies in gay rights repeal


By GLENN ADAMS

©Copyright 2005 Associated Press.

Tuesday, November 8, 2005 9:21 pm


AUGUSTA, Maine — Supporters of a law to protect homosexuals from discrimination in Maine gained an early lead over those who sought to overturn the law as ballots were counted Tuesday night.

With tallies from 12 percent of the state´s precincts, votes against repeal were ahead 57 percent to 43 percent over those seeking to overturn Maine´s gay rights law, which was approved by the Legislature earlier this year.

If the no votes prevail, Maine will become the last New England state to legally protect homosexuals from discrimination.

The issue, which was put before voters for the third time since 1998, pitted a coalition of mainstream religious and business groups and politicians including Gov. John Baldacci against a network of Christian church groups that sees gay rights as an assault on traditional marriage.

More:
http://news.mainetoday.com/apwire/D8DOLJ7OA-311.shtml

[sandyd921]

3. Lead is holding

Question 1 Veto Gay Rights
155 of 634 precincts - 24 percent

Yes, 42,726 - 43 percent
No, 57,366 - 57 percent :party: :toast: :bounce:

[mconvente]

4. GO MAINE!!!

Equality for all will survive in Maine - thank you Maine!

YOU ROCK!

[IndianaGreen]

6. Way to go Maine!

We can assume that Maine also believes in science and rejects Intelligent Design. It follows that an enlightened vote on one issue usually leads to enlightened votes on other issues.

[fight4my3sons]

28. Most of us...

my husband is constantly arguing this issue at work. He comes home furious some days.

[sniffa]

5. go maine indeed!

nominated. :bounce:

:patriot:

[Old and In the Way]

7. We delivered 3 NO's tonight....

My 18 YO cast her first vote today....

[Zenlitened]

8. Three cheers!

:applause: :applause: :applause:

[fight4my3sons]

29. She must have been so happy! I remember my first time voting.

We delivered two NO's, it was our first time voting in Maine. We moved here 11 months ago.

[Zenlitened]

9. Equality is pulling ahead in this race

10:45 p.m. Associated Press update:

With tallies from 34 percent of the state´s precincts, votes against repeal were ahead 57 percent to 43 percent over those seeking to overturn the gay rights law that was approved by the Legislature earlier this year.

http://news.mainetoday.com/apwire/D8DON3FO6-311.shtml

[clspector]

10. I'm so glad to see this . . .

I live in Texas and voted no on prop.2 (the no gay marriage prop.) It makes me so happy to know that there are sane people still in the country.

[intheflow]

11. Nominated!

Yet another reason to move to Maine! :thumbsup:

[MarianJack]

25. Hay, intheflow!

Welcome!

[Mike_The_Computer]

12. Thank you, Maine.

I always knew I liked you, and now I love ya.

[BattyDem]

13. Go Maine!

:applause:

[Nothing Without Hope]

14. Congratulations to the Maineacs! Here's a reward- a GREAT TDS VIDEO

on homosexual marriage, one of the funniest Daily Show segments I have seen - but also very powerful. I've posted the video link in the opening post of this thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=221&topic_id=19552&mesg_id=19552
thread title: VIDEO: Too funny! Ed Helms on TDS asks "Has gay marriage ruined Mass.?

Maine citizens should be comforted by the news that - so far - homosexual marriages in Massachusetts have not negatively affected air quality...well, you have GOT to see this.

[Carolab]

15. Great!

Maine rox!

[The Doctor.]

16. Take heart that no matter what happens tonight...

Those who would oppress free and peaceful Americans will lose.

Amen.

[melody]

17. Congrats, Mainelanders

I know how hard a lot of you worked for this. Maybe we have some reason to hope for the democratic process after all.

[donheld]

18. Maine rocks

In this day of gay hating this is great.

[pinto]

19. Thank you Maine.!

[Erika]

20. I've been to Maine once before,

I'll be there again. The Hell with Texas or Kansas.

[ticapnews]

21. With 86% of precincts reporting, it is 55-45...

Thank the FSM I live in Maine and not Kansas...

[drhilarius]

22. Good job, Maine...

Here's to reason, sanity, and humanity.

:toast:

[Zenlitened]

23. With 82% of precincts reportring, 55% favor fairness, 45% hate America

Maine voters keep gay rights law on the books

By Glenn Adams, Associated Press Writer | November 9, 2005

AUGUSTA, Maine --Maine voters decided Tuesday to keep the state's gay rights law on the books, making Maine the last New England state to bar discrimination based on sexual orientation.

With tallies from 82 percent of the state's precincts, votes supporting the gay rights law were ahead 55 percent to 45 percent over those seeking to overturn the law that was approved by the Legislature.

The vote "reaffirms the basic values that are intrinsic in Maine," said Gov. John Baldacci, who signed the law earlier this year before it was put on hold by the pending referendum. "Mainers don't like discrimination ... if it happens to one person it happens to all of us."

Matt Foreman, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, calls the outcome "a much-needed victory in our national movement" after a string of losses in other states on gay marriage issues. "We needed to show we can win."

(snip)

More:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/maine/articles/2005/11/09/maine_voters_keep_gay_rights_law_on_the_books/

[Thom Little]

24. thumbs up

[sinkingfeeling]

26. Way to go, Maine. A state where democracy rules!!

[leQ]

27. iowa salutes you! (eom)

[gorbal]

30. I'm proud of my home state today, sigh

If anyone has the chance to visit Portland, me, It really feels like a nice little european port town, especially the Old Port. Full of cobblestone streets, old time street lanterns and some very old, classic buildings that you want to carbon date, it's a really nice place to visit, or live.

I just moved here 6 months ago, love it:)

[whatsername]

31. I've seen the NO on 1 people putting up signs and honked every time!

I've lived in Maine my whole life and I have three best friends (I'm blessed!). One is gay, one's brother is gay, and one's mother is gay. It's just so normal to us (my family of 6)that I can't even imagine it being any other way! They are who they are and they're a part of our family. That aside, yes, Maine rocks!
-L

[formercia]

32. 10 years too late.

It's not only Gays that get harassed. I came to the aid of a fellow employee that was being harassed by a male supervisor. She was gay and was afraid to complain for fear of losing her job. I raised the issue to management and soon found myself being the target of a smear campaign and overt harassment. I fought back and was almost fired. I never received another promotion or pay increase as a result.

better late than never.

Maine is a great place to live but there are still a lot of ignorant and biased people here.