Lying to Defend Traditional Marriage in Maine?

The debate over Maine’s gay marriage law has gained momentum in recent weeks as the November 3rd vote draws closer. At the ballot Maine citizens will decide whether to keep their gay marriage law or use their “people’s veto” powers to preserve marriage as being between one man and one woman.

Those looking to keep that definition, the Stand for Maine Marriage “Yes on Proposition 1″ side, have already started airing their ad campaign on local television, and they aren’t pulling any punches.

But are the claims that Stand for Maine Marriage are making in this thirty second campaign all they seem? Gay marriage proponents Protect Maine Equality say that the commercial is misleading. See what you think:

A few observations about the ad:

“Special interest groups got the legislature to approve homosexual marriage, and tried to prevent Mainers from voting.”

There’s a kernel of truth to that for sure. Gay rights groups wanted gay marriage, and they sort its advancement through the legislature. It’s what people do to pass laws.

Legislature are put into office by a state’s voters to represent their views, and those views concerning gay marriage in Maine were heard at many public Judiciary forums earlier this year. One could argue that if a majority of legislature approved a measure, it is the “traditional marriage” groups that are acting out of “special interest” to impose their will upon Maine law, but we’ll put that issue to one side.

That gay rights groups and legislators tried to prevent the people of Maine voting on the subject of gay marriage is, however, false.

Legislators dismissed taking the gay marriage law to a debate originally (as a separate amendment that was past over had called for) because the people’s veto that is part of Maine law meant this was unnecessary. If enough public interest was stirred into questioning the passage of a gay marriage law, and enough petition signatures were gathered to enact a people’s veto, then a referendum would occur – as will be the case on November 3rd.

“Legal experts predict a flood of law suits…”

That’s a good one because, again, that’s true. Some legal experts always predict the possibility of law suits when a gay marriage bill is brought to bare in legislature.

The truth that Stand for Maine Marriage are not telling in this ad is that, in fact, those lawsuits have never actually emerged in other states to anywhere near the degree that was predicted and, moreover, religious exemptions always go hand in hand with gay marriage laws – it’s simply a must for getting gay marriage bills through legislature.

Protect Maine Equality have released a detailed memorandum on dismissing the untruths to this and other statements made in the “Yes on 1″ Stand for Maine Marriage campaign ads, highlighting that Maine’s religious institutions will not have their tax exemption status threatened and will not be made vulnerable by this gay marriage law. To read this document, please click here.

“Homosexual marriage taught in public schools…”

This one is simply without basis. No where in Maine’s gay marriage law is there anything to stipulate that schools will have to change what they teach about marriage.

A news segment from News 8 recently asked the “Yes on 1″ Stand for Maine Marriage team about this portion of their ad. They admit that it is only their opinion, and although their spokesperson then tried to rationalize this by saying that gay marriage must be taught in schools once the definition of marriage is changed (which News 8′s report also refutes), this is rather different to how the commercial presented the power of the gay marriage law. Take a look for yourself by clicking here.

If Maine voters wish to keep their marriage as heterosexuals only, then that is their choice and they will make that decision come the November 3rd ballot.

But groups pushing their “traditional marriage” stance should not be using half truths and flat out misrepresentations to win voter support.

What Will Voters be Asked on the November 3rd Ballot?

The exact wording of the question may cause slight confusion so it is important to be clear. The ballot will ask:

“Do you want to reject the new law that lets same-sex couples marry and allows individuals and religious groups to refuse to perform these marriages?”

Therefore to KEEP gay marriage in Maine your answer must be to vote NO on Proposition 1.

How Can I Help the Maine Gay Marriage Initiative?

Why not take a “Volunteer Vacation” in Maine this October and help canvas for marriage equality?

Head over to the Protect Maine Equality website now to find out more on how you can help preserve Maine’s gay marriage law by taking a volunteering vacation to get involved with canvasing efforts and much more.

Finally, here’s fellow Care2 blogger Ann Pietrangelo talking about what gay marriage means to her as a straight married woman:

R-E-S-P-E-C-T My Marriage

Photo used under Fair Use Terms, with much thanks to Maine Marriage Equality.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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Teddy Bear B.

6:46PM PDT on Sep 27, 2009

Same sex marriage is fundamental a right.
Those who disagree will not be prevented from fulfilling their wishes in this regard, unless by some weird twist, they happen to be gay. The church(es) have all sorts of different rules and regulations and are free to pursue them. If they wish not to recognize or perform same sex marriage, no one says they have to. If you feel your children will be misled in yet another direction (doesn't seem to matter with so many other issues) then choose a religious school which meets your requirements. And while people stand in indigence and argue against all sorts of "wrong" in society (as if there is some other part of society that does all the wrong), people suffer because of it. I wonder what would happen in today's society to a man who spent his time wandering about doing good, preaching tolerance, making statements like "let him who is without sin cast the first stone", and "suffer the little children to come unto me" and otherwise generally exposing evil? Evil lies in the hearts of those who are dedicated to forcing other living beings to live their lives according to the gospel of "me". Well said by he who first asked "how do you think your children will judge your actions of today when they are adults?".

send a green star

Paul D.

9:59AM PDT on Sep 26, 2009

I have said this before and I will say this again and again. The right to marry is a civil right regulated by the state. It must apply to all people.
Opponnents of same sex marriage believe they are hurt by homosexuals. Churches do not have to marry homosexuals.
Under law it is between the partners and society. The law sets priviliges and responsibilities of marriage. We are talking of civil rights.
The ceremony ends "By the authority vested in me by the state of **..." That is the crux of this discussion. The authority comes from the state.
Uner the XIV Amendment and the I Amendment denying people their "...equal protection of the laws..." Imposing laws based on religious doctrine is "...law respecting an establishment of religion..."
Can anyone show me satisfactorily how any of the purposes of our country,"...to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity...", are undermined if people committing to sharing a life together the rights and priviliges enjoyed by every other couple that have made that committment?
If churches wish to deny homosexuals the sacrament, the fellowship and the community of your church that is their right. under the 1st Amendment. To deny anyone the protection of the law is an abomination. It must not be allowed to exist. All who disagrees are welcome to leave.
~;^}>

Barbara C.

9:38PM PDT on Sep 25, 2009

What an excellent article that one is as well, Grenna! It should certainly be recommended to anyone needing to counter some of the ridiculous claims out there about the damages to society and this country's culture due to allowing full equality in the matter of marriage. What can be such a gratifying experience, that of the commitment to marriage of two people desiring to be joined in love for life, should be allowed to all.

Grenna F.

10:06PM PDT on Sep 23, 2009

Barbara

Wonderful points. You may also find this article of interest.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bruce-wilson/divorce-rate-in-gay-marri_b_267259.html

9:12PM PDT on Sep 23, 2009

The question posed for consideration by posters here is whether a dishonest approach is appropriately used to defend traditional marriage in Maine by preventing same-sex marriages. This is an ethical question, with only one post so far appearing to indicate opposition to marriage equality in Maine (or anywhere), and discrimination against other American citizens on a Biblical basis. Fred Juroska, are we to assume you believe that ads such as the one on YouTube provided above also adheres to what the Bible says about "fault witness?" Do you have evidence to offer contrary to that in the article above where the video is? Are there others not yet posting who believe ads such as this are truthful? Or do the opponents of marriage equality recognize and approve questionable ethics, and support doing whatever is necessary to prevail?

One of the most common arguments against marriage equality is that the legalization of gay marriage threatens the institution of traditional marriage. But a recent poll conducted by the Des Moines Register finds that 92% of Iowans believe that "gay marriage has brought no real change to their lives." The study comes just months after the Iowa Supreme Court's unanimous decision to overturn a 10-year-old ban on same-sex marriage. The poll finds that Iowans are evenly split in their attitudes toward same-sex marriage. Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/21/poll-92-of-iowans-believe_n_293539.html

Charlene R.

7:26PM PDT on Sep 23, 2009

Being a person in my 60's, I do not ever remember, people of the so-called faithful, telling such outright lies. The conservatives are not just telling lies, which are SINS, in the event they forgot; they are completely fabricating the truth.

Paul P.

4:58PM PDT on Sep 23, 2009

To Fred Juroska: Please don't give me this "..like the bible says". It was written when the total population was but a tiny fraction of the 6.6 billion of us today and people thought the earth was flat. We certainly don't need to multiply, not at the rate we have been. Gay marriage is one way to reduce birth rate.

Fred J.

3:28PM PDT on Sep 23, 2009

Quit living a lie and get the help you need like an addict! The first step in getting help is to admit your problem! It's not Adam and Steve! Marriage is meant to be fruitful and mutiple like the bible says! Prison is a breeding ground for this kind of behavior!

Marilyn L.

11:11AM PDT on Sep 23, 2009

I am a gay woman and I think "our community" is wrong. I have said for many years now that this should not be a State to State fight, it is a waste of time and money and I for one will not contribute to fight this fight state by state over and over again.

The solution is simple. Everyone, straight or LGBT who wants to have a partnership gets a civil union licence, not a marriage licence and then if they want to get married that is up to them and their religious group of choice.

I am 66 years old, was discharge from the Navy for being gay in the 60's and have seen it all. I am tired of being a second-class citizen.

This is a Civil Rights issue and should be fought at the Federal level. That is how we win.

Patricia A.

10:25AM PDT on Sep 23, 2009

Time for this country to stop pretending that gay marriage is a threat to families. The highest divorce rate is among the Christian right. Has anyone bothered to give voice to this fact?