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State House
Christian Grandmother Led Away from Legislative Work Session on Same Sex Marriage Bill
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| Elaine Graham bears her cross in the Maine State House. |
A
careless remark at a legislative session in Augusta on Tuesday provoked
an unexpected response from a member of the public. The fourteen-member
Judiciary Committee met Tuesday to vote on sending the bill to the
Maine Senate. Much of the work session was routine, but when
Representative Cynthia Dill told how she had arrived at her decision on
the most important and dangerous bill ever to reach the Maine
Legislature, someone from the public decided they had had enough.
At
one point in the session, Representative Dill turned to a fellow
legislator and stated that 'her decision came naturally" and "was made
in a split-second." Dill went on to claim that same sex marriage "was
not a moral issue." At that point, Elaine Graham, a dedicated supporter
of traditional marriage shouted "It is a moral issue!" several
times, then joined other protestors in the hallway where she displayed
a sign opposing same sex marriage. She was eventually escorted from the
building by capitol police.
May 1, 2009 - 4:11:08 AM
News
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State House
Thousands Attend Same-Sex Marriage Public Hearing
MFPC Director Mike Heath Issues Statement Opposing Legislation
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| Paul Madore and Mike Heath |
Over three thousand people, Christians, activists, leaders, and government officials attended the Maine Legislature's Judiciary Committee Public Hearing for Legislative Documents LD 1020, "An Act to End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedom" (sponsored by State Sen. Dennis Damon, D-Trenton) and LD 1118 "An Act to Expand Rights for Maine Families" (sponsored by State Rep. Leslie Fossel, R-Alna) on April 22nd in Augusta.
Michael Heath, Maine Family Policy Council Executive Director, issued a statement at the public hearing, which read in part:
"This decision is about ultimate things. This decision is about truth. Marriage, like love, can never be on a slippery slope. It is not possible for it to evolve. Marriage is a permanent thing, like the morning sun. Reject today's primal urge for pleasure. Choose the truth. Preserve marriage. Amen."
Apr 22, 2009 - 5:04:59 PM
News
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State House
SAME SEX MARRIAGE BILL IS A PARTISAN EFFORT
Homosexual rights activists in Maine are careful to give the impression that the push for same sex marriage has broad-based support. But is the push for same sex marriage really non-ideological and bipartisan?
A recently published list of co-sponsors of Senator Damon's same sex marriage bill shows that support for the bill is almost exclusively Democrat. Admittedly, the power of the bill to divide the people of Maine is very great. Even Governor Baldacci distanced himself from Senator Damon's bill when he warned in a press release that the bill would be divisive at a time of great economic crisis. We agree.
DEMOCRATS (SENATE)
Alfond, Justin, Cumberland County, District 8; Bartlett, Phillip, Cumberland County, District 6; Bliss, Larry, Cumberland County, District 7; Brannigan, Joseph, Cumberland County, District 8; Damon, Dennis, Hancock County, District 28; Gerzofsky, Stan, Cumberland County, District 10; Nutting, John, Androscoggin County, District 17; Sullivan, Nancy, York County, District 4; Bowman, Peter, York County, Distr. 1.
Mar 18, 2009 - 4:51:56 PM
News
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State House
Study Predicts Homosexual Influx to Maine
California Think Tank States Over 15,000 Out-of-State Homosexuals to Descend on Maine to Marry
The Williams Institute recently published a 17-page study entitled "The Economic Impact of Extending Marriage to Same-Sex Couples in Maine" (found online at www.law.ucla.edu/williamsinstitute/pdf/MEecon.pdf). State Senator Dennis Damon (D - Hancock County) has cited the study recently in the media as a reason for the Maine Legislature to pass the same-sex marriage bill (entitled "An Act to End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedom") that Damon has sponsored this session.
The study estimates there are 4,644 homosexual couples currently living in Maine, and that only half of thes couples would pursue a same-sex marriage. Additionally, the study states: "approximately 15,657 same-sex couples from other states will come to Maine to marry. These couples will primarily come from New York, where they are likely to have their marriages recognized, and from states in the immediate Northeast region."
Mar 13, 2009 - 4:25:55 PM
News
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State House
Is it Time for a Full-Blown Casino in Maine?
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| Representative Sawin Millett |
According to veteran legislator, Sawin Millett, it is time for a full-blown casino in Maine. Representative Millett spoke with me in the State House yesterday. He has introduced a bill (not yet printed) that will, if passed, create a casino in Oxford County. Mainers rejected a similar proposal in November of last year in a statewide vote.
Millett wants to limit the voting this time to just Oxford County. He says that all the towns in Androscoggin County voted for the Casino last year. Governor John Baldacci's office told me that the Governor opposes the plan because it limits the voting to just Oxford County. The Governor favors statewide voting before the state implements gambling expansions.
Feb 25, 2009 - 2:11:35 PM
News
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State House
Senate President not taking a public position on Same Sex Marriage -- yet
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| Senate President Elizabeth (Libby) Mitchell |
Maine Family Policy Council executive director Mike Heath met with Senate President Elizabeth Mitchell on Thursday, February 12th, in the President's corner office on the third floor of the State House. Mitchell a long-time liberal Democrat, is the third consecutive woman to hold the office of President. She is next in line to be Governor should anything happen to John Baldacci.
Heath presented Mitchell with a Christian Civic League of Maine meeting agenda from 1984 that was held at Penny Memorial Baptist Church in Augusta. She appeared on a panel discussing education issues.
Heath and Mitchell discussed the legislative session. Mitchell indicated that Democrats will not force a simple majority budget this year. In some recent sessions Democrats, who hold the majority in the State House, have chosen not to go with passing a two thirds budget that requires support from some Republicans. When Democrats pass a simple majority budget they use an obscure rule to force a budget through without Republican consent.
Feb 13, 2009 - 4:54:46 AM
News
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State House
Heath meets with Republican Leadership
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| Senator Kevin Raye |
Council executive director Mike Heath met with Senator Kevin Raye and Senator Jon Courtney on Wednesday afternoon at 3:30 pm. The men are the elected leaders of the Republican caucus in the Maine Senate.
The men discussed the legislative session, and the priorities of the Maine Family Policy Council. Heath left them with a multi-page policy statement prepared by the Family Research Council and invited them to contact him on issues where they can make common cause.
The issue of marriage and gay rights was discussed at some length. All three of the men agreed that Senator Dennis Damon's proposal to eliminate Maine's Defense of Marriage Act must be killed.
"I was pleasantly surprised," Said Heath. "Senator Raye is a supporter of gay rights. It was encouraging to learn that he opposes same sex 'marriage'."
Senator Courtney opposes both gay rights and same sex marriage.
Feb 12, 2009 - 4:18:15 AM
News
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State House
Legislative presentation scheduled on "Genderless Marriage"
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| Monte Stewart, J.D. |
Professor Monte Stewart, J.D. will present a provocative discussion on the ramifications of genderless marriage in Maine this week. Stewart is a distinguised author and attorney. He is the past US Attorney of Nevada, an Oxford University scholar and Founder of the Marriage Law Foundation.
Stewart will present his remarks at St. Paul's Conference Center in Augusta from 3 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, February 12, 2009. The event is free and includes a complimentary luncheon, according to a flier distributed by the Maine Coalition of Concerned Families (MCCF).
Senator Dennis Damon has introduced a bill in Maine that goes further than any previous proposal to remove gender distinctions from Maine law.
"I am thrilled that Mr. Stewart is coming to Maine," Said Maine Family Policy Council executive director Mike Heath. "It is really important that Maine people understand what is really going on when people talk about equality. Intellectually honest leaders like Stewart are a breath of fresh air."
Feb 10, 2009 - 5:54:48 AM
News
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State House
Maine's marriage future
As the
election season moves into its final month many Maine citizens are
wondering about the future for families in the Pine Tree State. As the
consequences of birth control, easy divorce and gay rights settle into
the culture the future of the traditional family is in doubt.
Trends throughout the west indicate that co-habitation and "hooking up"
have replaced courtship and dating. While isolated conservative
Christian communities still nurture these traditional American forms
they appear all but dead in the broader culture.
Sep 25, 2008 - 6:47:30 AM
News
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State House
Bliss Receives Maine's Only Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund Endorsement
Democrat Bliss Approves of Gay Marriage, Slavery Reparations in Survey
Republican Opponent Dunne Critical of League in Response
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| 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. Bliss is the Director of Career Services and Professional Life Development at the University of Southern Maine. His State Senate District 7 (in Cumberland County) primary victory in June was heralded by the anti-family Washington, D.C.-based group 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. According to the biography listed on his website, Bliss and his partner, Nolan McCoy, live with their three pre-teen children in South Portland.
Political newcomer Republican Thomas Dunne of Cape Elizabeth will be Bliss's State Senate opponent in November. Dunne replied to a League Record request for comment by stating: "...what I have read in the press about [the Christain 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."
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. 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."
Aug 6, 2008 - 6:08:02 PM
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