Editor's Note:  In a fair, unbiased and non-partisan manner the League will report on various political contests as we approach the election.  Obviously, we cannot report on all the contests.  186 legislative seats will be filled in November.  We will select contests that include characteristics that are interesting to our Christian readers.  Comments and suggestions can be emailed to email@cclmaine.org

Democrat Bliss Approves of Gay Marriage, Slavery Reparations in Survey
Republican Opponent Dunne Critical of League in Response

Larry Bliss

South Portland Democrat Lawrence (Larry) Bliss enjoys the distinction of being the only Maine candidate endorsed by the national Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund.  His endorsement for State Senate District 7 (in Cumberland County, including Cape Elizabeth, South Portland, and the coastal portion of Scarborough) by the anti-family group this year follows his endorsement by the same group in 2006 for his State Representative re-election effort.

Bliss is the Director of Career Services and Professional Life Development at the University of Southern Maine.  His State Senate primary victory in June was heralded by the Washington, D.C.-based Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund on their website.

More recently, Bliss has come out in favor of both homosexual marriage and reparations for slavery in an online Grassroots Netroots Alliance official survey response.  He answered "yes" to their question: "Do you support civil rights, equal opportunity and affirmative action, including same-sex marriage, laws against gender discrimination and profiling by race or national origin, reparations for slavery, and the right to dissent?"  Bliss scored a 100% rating in that question's portion of the survey, entitled "Democracy."

According to the biography listed on his website, Bliss and his partner, Nolan McCoy, live with their three pre-teen children in South Portland.  He has been a member of the Board of Directors of The AIDS Project, the Equity Institute of Maine, the South Portland Citizens for Justice, and the Maine Lesbian/Gay Political Alliance.  Bliss currently sits as an advisor to the Maine Community Foundation's anti-family Equity Fund.

Larry Bliss

Bliss's campaign reports show $100 financial donations earlier this year from unsuccessful former Democrat State Representative candidate and Knights of Columbus member, Shawn Babine, and owner of South Portland's Saltwater Grille restaurant, Mark Loring.  Bliss paid Loring's Saltwater Grille restaurant over $555 in June for a party held there.  Additionally, Bliss reported paying a local CVS Pharmacy location $79.73 in June for "Bliss Chocolates" Event Giveaways, as the report described the expense.

Political newcomer Republican Thomas Dunne of Cape Elizabeth will be Bliss's State Senate opponent in November.  Dunne is the former Executive Director of the Dirigo Health Agency and current Executive Director of Ingraham, a social services non-profit agency.

Dunne replied to a League Record request for comment by stating: "I believe that what two consenting adults do in the privacy of their home is their business, and government does not have a role at this level.  Society should - and at times does - discuss in fair and tempered tones, our mores and values.

"...what I have read in the press about [the Christian Civic League of Maine] is evidence that your organization tends to not speak in fair and tempered tones.  Rather, there appears to be some sort of 'chicken little' homophobic emotion underlying your behaviors.

"I don't give a hoot about [Bliss's] personal life.  I believe the vast majority of citizens of [State Senate District 7] are focused on how we would serve as legislators, not about our personal lives.

"I do have positions on the issues you mention [homosexual civil unions and homosexual marriage].   But I think I will share them first with other organizations that have sent a survey [to me]. ...I think the shame is that there is not enough open minded discussion on our mores and values, because society could benefit."

In response to Dunne's comments and the news of Bliss's endorsement, League Executive Director Michael Heath said: "I am proud of the League for pointing out the connection between Mr. Bliss's political views and his lifestyle.

"Character is about one's personal beliefs and actions.  It is curious that Christians are blasted personally for merely pointing out what homosexuals themselves oftentimes admit.  Mr. Bliss and his supporters will complain that the League has crossed a line by pointing out something that he readily admits publicly.  He is homosexual.  If he is public about it, why not us?

"Furthermore, it is only reasonable to suggest that the personal practices of Mr. Bliss influence his political commitments, isn't it?  Why are 'gays' singled out for special treatment?  I am regularly maligned publicly for applying my personal views to policy matters.

Larry Bliss and Steve Rowe

"In a picture on the Bliss website the legislator is meeting with Attorney General Steve Rowe.  Mr. Rowe once told me, confusingly, that his crusade for gay rights has nothing to do with morality. 

"Homosexuality is immoral.  Everyone knows it in their hearts, even openly 'gay' candidate Bliss, and that is why there is so much doublespeak around this issue.  Some people have accurately described homosexuality as a death-style.  Jesus Christ doesn't want anyone to die, and neither do I.  I am adding Mr. Bliss to my prayer list," Heath concluded.

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