Maine Curbs on Rights Fail

Christianity Today December 11, 1995

Organizers of a failed Maine referendum—that would have repealed a Portland homosexual rights ordinance and deleted violence based on sexual orientation from a list of hate crimes at the state level—are worried that special rights for homosexuals may be created.

Maine voters on November 7 defeated Question 1 by a 53 percent to 47 percent margin. While the referendum did not mention the word homosexuality, it would have limited state and local laws to protect only the classes of "race, color, sex, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, and familial status."

Both Cliff Tinkham of Concerned Maine Families and Paul Madore of Coalition to End Special Rights—the two most active groups that worked for passage of the referendum—told CT that the state legislature may pass a special homosexual rights law next year. They say that for the first time, the state now has both a legislative majority and a governor that support such a measure.

"This was not a 'so what?' issue for homosexuals," Tinkham says. "If we had been successful, people in other states would have known to go the citizen referendum route." Tinkham says the ballot initiative was worded carefully enough that it could have withstood court challenges.

A constitutional amendment approved by 53 percent of Colorado voters in 1992 limiting special homosexual rights is pending before the U.S. Supreme Court.

ctcurrmrj5TE71c5B29

Copyright © 1995 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Also in this issue

The CT archives are a rich treasure of biblical wisdom and insight from our past. Some things we would say differently today, and some stances we've changed. But overall, we're amazed at how relevant so much of this content is. We trust that you'll find it a helpful resource.

Our Latest

Testimony

My Deconstruction Became a Demolition

I left my faith for a destructive life of worldly pleasure. But God didn’t leave me in my unbelief.

The Event Horizon of Advent

The Christmas season shows us our redeemed past and hopeful future.

How Insecurity Thwarts a Kingdom

Herod’s violence reveals the futility of earthly power.

The Song of Mary Still Echoes Today

How the Magnificat speaks to God’s care for the lowly.

Paving The Way For God’s Perfect Plan

John the Baptist reveals the call for preparation.

The Unexpected Fruit of Barrenness

How the kingdom of God delights in grand reversals.

After disaster, God draws near

How Jeremiah’s prophecy points to Advent’s promise.

The Surprising Arrival of a Servant

Jesus’ introduction of justice through gentleness.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube