What an embarrassment to her family.

Sadly “Stand for Marriage Maine” collected many signatures by misleading people to believe they would not be able to vote unless they “registered” with those who were collecting signatures. At the Old Port Festival a woman at the top of Exchange Street was collecting signatures for the vote to ban gay marriage, but she was promoting it as if you were registering to vote. She said “Are you registered votes in Maine would you like to register here?” It was one sentence, she didn’t pause. I asked what we were registering for and she said “To determine if marriage is between a man and a woman or a man and a man or whatever.” Then came the best part, she said “Would you like to sign so you can vote?” As if I couldn’t vote if I didn’t sign. She wasn’t telling people that it was a petition to stop gay marriage by putting it to a vote, she was convincing people to sign thinking that they had to or they wouldn’t be allowed to vote. There was nothing that even indicated what or why people where to sign. It’s not about Gay Marriage, it’s about Hate and Control. The fact they collected signatures so quickly only proves they preyed on the elderly and ignorant. This only provides evidence that many Mainers still have much growing up to do.

Do you really want to support people who lied to you, deceived you, who are trying to force you to spread discrimination and bigotry? Don't let these anti-gay people control your lives and choices. Support marriage equality in Maine and vote NO on 1.

Some parents were afraid their children would be taught about gay marriage in our schools. Somehow this would undermine what they teach their children at home and through their respective “churches.” Yet we teach our children that polygamy exists in the world, that other religions exist, even the existence of atheism. Teaching that gay marriage exists is no more an endorsement than teaching about other religions or cultures. How much difference would there be teaching that domestic partnerships/civil unions exist between committed loving couples of the same gender? If people are so insecure in their personal faiths that they feel threatened by the teaching of the existence of other faiths and cultures, then perhaps we should ban from our history and civics courses all references to the diversity of religions and cultures in our world. That would certainly prepare our children for living in a pluralistic society and world.

Also, why is it wrong? You cannot just ignore a fact of life, that homosexuality is a natural part of life and pretend it doesn't exist. We should be teaching and informing kids of tolerance, and that sexuality is just another part of human life that's not wrong. We should be teaching kids against discrimination and bigotry. We are not teaching them explicit details of gay sex, but the mere fact that gay marriage and homosexuals exist, and are a natural part of society and do harm to no others and aren't wrong.

Even in places where gay marriage is not legalized, children will learn of gay marriage, through television, internet, friends, etc. If you want to keep them in the dark, you better keep them locked in the closet from the outside world.

Did it ever strike her that perhaps it DOES matter? I mean, honestly, what kind of statement is that?

That said, it's hard to know what will happen in November. Turnout is key.

By the way, this is starting to go around on Facebook: Adults who love each other should have the right to get married whether they are gay or straight. If you agree, post this on your Facebook page, along with this link to the campaign to protect marriage equality in Maine. http://action.protectmaineequality.org/t/4847/s…