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Question 1 on Maine’s Nov. 8 ballot is a controversial topic that many shy away from. On campus, there are numerous organizations supporting ‘no’ on Question 1 – with the foremost being UMaine Won’t Discriminate – but there are few who openly support the ‘yes’ side of the issue.
Although geology professor and anti-abortion activist Terrence Hughes may be the most well-known and vocal advocate on campus of ‘yes’ on Question 1, there are others on campus who have been less outspoken about their opinions.
Sarah Nickerson, a freshman majoring in animal and veterinary science, supports ‘yes’ on Question 1. She believes people need to step away from their liberal or conservative labels and look at the issue.
She does not believe that Question 1 is as Biblically oriented as many conservatives would like to think.
“That’s not the topic here,” Nickerson said. “As the laws stand now, in Maine, homosexuals have no fewer rights than heterosexuals have. … By passing this, they’re actually getting special rights.”
Although she does not support Question 1 because of her religious beliefs, she does consider this law as a precursor to gay marriage. If Question 1 is defeated, she believes same-sex marriage will follow closely.
The Bangor Baptist Church also believes that a ‘no’ vote will eventually lead Maine in the direction of gay marriage. Pastor Jerry Mick said this could be one of the ulterior motives behind Question 1, and it would be in the best interest of the state to vote pass the referendum.
Mick said that it would be better to stop gay marriage at the beginning rather than halfway down the road.
Mick doesn’t see the issue as wholly religious, but rather that there are many different ways to view Question 1. He gets the idea that a lot of people believe a ‘Yes’ vote is purely religious, but says that is not the case.
The issue of parents’ rights has been brought up in the debate on Question 1. Nickerson believes its defeat would take parents’ rights away.
“You’re removing the rights of other people by passing this law, like parental rights,” Nickerson said.
She gave an example of public schools. If a school hired a gay gym teacher whose duties would involve monitoring locker rooms and parents felt uncomfortable with that, they could do nothing about it. Nickerson believes this is wrong and works as reverse discrimination.
She also believes it serves as reverse discrimination against people with Christian religious beliefs.
“You’re undermining the rights of people with religious commitments for the right of homosexuality,” Nickerson said. “It’s like reverse discrimination.”
Nickerson said that if a religious family has a room for rent in their house, they cannot deny a homosexual from living there based on his orientation, even though it would be uncomfortable for that family to live there.
She does not know if the United States is ready to pass such laws yet.
“As a country, we have not decided that homosexuality is OK,” she said. “We have agreed that homosexuals have the right to be together because we’re a country based on freedom.”
Nickerson has noticed that there is a strong dislike from many on campus, toward individuals who support Question 1.
“Anyone who, because of their Christian belief, supported ‘yes’ on 1, were strongly discriminated against on campus,” Nickerson said.
She is frustrated that a majority of the university has only looked at one side of the issue and that there are not a lot of people who support Question 1 or are even tolerant of it.
“People don’t understand what the law is passing,” Nickerson said.
After noticing the strong opposition to the referendum, Nickerson decided to do some research and find information for supporting the initiative.
“There is some good info out there, but it’s hard to find.” she said.
She does not like the idea that Maine’s gay-rights law would include gender expression or gender identity. If Question 1 is defeated, Maine will be the only state to have this with their gay rights law.
There’s no line as to what gender expression or identity can be. Nickerson believes gender identity needs to be better defined in the law.
“By passing this law, you’re just opening up a gray area.” she said.
Nickerson emphasized that she does not hate homosexuals in any way. However, she does not believe that anyone has the justification to obtain special rights.
