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| Last Updated:
Mar 11, 2010 - 9:20:54 PM |
 | | U.S. Rep. Tom Allen (D - ME) |
After
a front-page news article in the Bangor Daily News and
press releases, under fifty people showed for a pro-homosexual rally Sunday afternoon, October 7, in Augusta. Held on the Statehouse steps, the much publicized
"Seven Straight Nights for Equal [Homosexual] Rights"
did attract several prominent Maine Democrat politicians, however.
U.S. Representative Tom Allen, who is running for U.S. Senate in 2008 against current U.S. Senator Susan Collins, State Senator Ethan Strimling (Democrat - Portland), who is running to replace Allen in Congress, and State Rep. Elizabeth Miller (Democrat - Somerville) all attended and spoke at the homosexual youth event.
Soulforce
and
Atticus Circle
, two Texas-based radical homosexual youth organizations, sponsored the event.
Allen explained to the small crowd how he has co-sponsored recently a federal homosexual rights bill (ENDA) in Congress, along side Democrat U.S. Senators Edward "Teddy" Kennedy and Barney Frank, who is openly homosexual. Speaking of his support for additional homosexual special rights, Allen said, "It takes a long time for good things to happen. I urge you [homosexuals] to keep on fighting."
 | | Darlene Huntress, State Sen. Strimling, and State Rep. Miller |
State Representative
Elizabeth S. Miller, a Democrat who represents the rural Kennebec and Lincoln County towns of Chelsea, Jefferson, Somerville, Whitefield, and Washington, told those homosexuals gathered that she was "very happy" to vote for the Maine homosexual special rights law in 2005. "I understand that you [homosexuals] are such an important part of our communities," she said.
Maine Democrat State Senator Ethan Strimling of Portland was the last and most vocal of the politicians to speak. He noted how proud he was to work on 2005's 'Maine Won't Discriminate' campaign to enact the homosexual special rights law. He referred to all who supported traditional marriage as the "forces of evil," when he spoke about the repeal of a homosexual special rights law in 1998.
Strimling went on to note how satisfying it was in 2005 for Maine to pass the most radical homosexual special rights law in New England, one that even included the transgendered. Referring explicitly to his support for the transgendered, Strimling said that the homosexuals "cannot leave anyone behind."
 | | Homosexual Rev. Mark Doty |
Finally, Strimling exhorted the pro-homosexual crowd to continue their fight for "marriage equality" in Maine. He said they have "one more victory" to obtain, that of homosexual marriage. He urged Mainers to ask their elected officials: "Do you support us [homosexuals] all the way?" Strimling's remarks received enthusiastic applause from the small crowd.
 | | State Sen. Strimling exhorts the pro-homosexual crowd |
The organizers were
Dr. Mark J. Hanks
, owner of
Kindred Spirits Veterinary Clinic
in Orrington, and his wife
Mary E. Jude
, Chief Research & Development Officer and Director of Community Clinics with
Penobscot Community Health Care
in Bangor. They organized the event at the request of their pastor,
Rev. Dr. Mark Allen Doty
.
Doty leads the Hammond Street Congregational Church (UCC) in Bangor, and discussed his own homosexuality openly at the rally. He was a signatory in early 2007 to
a letter submitted as public testimony to the Maine State Legislature in support of a bill to publicly fund abortions for low-income Maine women
. Eighteen other Maine Congregational (UCC) ministers signed on to the pro-abortion statement.
The bill was defeated unanimously in committee by the Legislature in May, 2007
.
Darlene Huntress, Public Policy Director for the radical homosexual lobbying group EqualityMaine, attended the rally. Also in attendance were representatives from the Gay, Lesbian, & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) and the
Dennis Kucinich for President Campaign.
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