Whose right?

Maine repeal is a step backward for gay rights

Over the past decade, 11 states have passed laws protecting gays and lesbians from discrimination. This movement has been attacked by the Christian Coalition, a right-wing interest group devoted to instilling Christian values in American politics. Conservatives and coalition leaders saw this past week as a great victory for their cause as voters in Maine repealed the anti-discrimination law established by the state Legislature.

The coalition claims that gays and lesbians are immoral and wrong and therefore do not deserve the rights heterosexuals have. Gay, lesbian and civil rights advocates put nearly $500,000 into the campaign - nearly five times more than what conservatives invested. The civil rights groups claim that this decision is not a mandate, per se, as only 30 percent of the state voted on this single-issue ballot. In addition, the referendum was passed by a slim 52-percent margin - a far cry from an overwhelming majority.

The main problem with this initiative is that gays and lesbians have been stripped of the rights that heterosexuals are guaranteed. Under the new law, it is legal to fire a homosexual employee simply due to his or her sexual orientation. Heterosexuals do not have to worry about this possibility. These are not special rights given to some and not all. These are rights that all Americans have - or should have.

One dark side of this most recent vote is that it seems as if the coalition is not looking out for every American, as it would have one believe. Rather, the coalition's members seem to simply be impressing their ideology on the American voters, not because it is in the best interest of citizens but because they feel they are correct. They are changing the political arena to suit their beliefs, regardless of citizens' rights. These scare tactics seem to cut more toward the fears and prejudices of people than toward logical human rights.

There are now 10 states that still have anti-discrimination laws intact. Gay-rights supporters fear that last week's vote will pave the way for more ballot questions abolishing rights for gays and lesbians altogether. In Maine, Gov. Angus King appeared on commercials trying to convince people that discrimination against the gay community is wrong, but the Christian Right's argument drew more people to the polls.

The state of Michigan does not have a law protecting gays and lesbians from discrimination. But Ann Arbor - with its now 26-year-old ordinance - was the first city in the country to adopt such a policy. There needs to be more movements like those in Ann Arbor. In the coming months, civil rights supporters hope to pass gay-rights initiatives in Maryland and Iowa. American citizens should understand that gays and lesbians are not asking for special privileges. These policies will give the gay community the same rights as heterosexuals - raising them to the status quo.

Intolerance between people in the same community is not desirable. The homosexual minority in Maine certainly has been tolerant of the indecency with which the world treats it. The Christian Coalition should be equally tolerant. Going so far as to call homosexuality "immoral" is certainly not respectful. It definitely does not take special rights for homosexuals - or the rest of the country - to feel slighted, insulted and angry.

02-16-98