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Maine Governor John Baldacci chatted with students at Hancock Hall Tuesday night. Baldacci and state Representative Emily Cain, D-Orono, spoke to students about Question 1, a referendum concerning sexual orientation, on next Tuesday’s ballot.
Cain and Baldacci both spoke in support of the “No on 1″ campaign, led on campus by Sarah Bigney, a junior international affairs major. Bigney and nearly 60 students gathered in Hancock’s lobby to listen to Baldacci and ask him questions.
Baldacci responded to a number of questions, ranging from why the question on the ballot is worded the way it is, to why the effort to secure equal rights in the workplace is so important.
“Maine has to be a welcoming and diverse state,” said Baldacci. “It’s important Maine cannot say anything but ‘no.’”
Baldacci fielded a question concerning how important; it is to have a law that secures the rights of gays and lesbians in the workplace. He said it is wrong to assume that discrimination does not exist. As much as some people want to believe discrimination is not an issue in Maine, it has happened, he said.
“Believe me folks. It matters,” said Baldacci. “This is a big deal for our state.”
Issues of discrimination have come before the Maine voters before, and no bill has ever been passed to enable equal rights regardless of sexual orientation. Baldacci said it is currently legal for an employer in Maine to fire an employee because he or she is gay. He said while past referendums on the subject have failed, he is confident that the voters of Maine will vote ‘no’ this year.
“Let’s get this right this time,” he said. “When I talk to people in the creative economy, this is a big issue. It’s not reflective of Maine values to not allow this to be addressed.”
One student asked Baldacci if those who support a ‘yes’ vote on Question 1 are right in suggesting that this is just a step in the direction of legalizing gay marriage. Baldacci refuted the student’s argument by saying the two issues are not related.
“It has nothing to do with it,” Baldacci said. “It’s apples and oranges.”
Baldacci again stressed the need for a law, suggesting that many people lack the understanding that a law is necessary to protect citizens.
“People don’t believe that discrimination happens, so they feel we don’t need a law,” the governor said. “It’s a basic right. We really shouldn’t be having the debate.”
Baldacci also suggested that the nation is watching Maine right now. He said it is important that other states see that Maine makes the right decision. He also said there is a possibility that whichever way the vote goes next week, the issue could be around for a while.
“If it’s a close election, I think it might come up again,” he said.
Cain also spoke. As the State legislater from Orono, she feels it is her duty to be in close communication with students at UMaine, who are constituents of hers. She was happy to bring the governor to her district.
“I couldn’t be more proud to share this space and have the governor come to campus,” said Cain, who also spoke out in favor of equal rights.
“No on 1″ chose to hold the event at Hancock Hall because it is the social equity dorm.
Baldacci said after his talk that he only feared the effort from the other side because of the bad information that has been put out there. He also said it is about education, and it is important to educate people on this topic.
“There’s a lot of misinformation put out, and it’s difficult,” said Baldacci. “It’s a referendum campaign. It’s on an issue. It’s not like a candidate.”
He added that because of the misinformation, there is a lot of explaining to be done, and he finds it important to get that message to college students.
“You have to kind of go around and make sure people know what the issues are, what does the law state. I think the more they learn about the law and they understand what it is and what it isn’t, they’ll be a lot more comfortable with what it is.”
He also said that every other New England state already has an anti-discrimination law in place, and Maine is trying to catch up.
As she helped pick up chairs and clean up after Baldacci left, Cain spoke about the importance of student support next Tuesday.
“I believe that college students have a huge role to play,” said Cain. “College students tend to be much more tolerant and much more aware that sexual orientation doesn’t define you.”
Related Posts:- Gay marriage bill sponsor speaks at UM (April 27, 2009)
- Question 1 debate urges closer look at the issue (October 27, 2005)
- Baldacci praises grad research program at UMaine (September 14, 2009)
- Baldacci to speak at graduation (May 1, 2003)
- Baldacci reminisces on college years (November 20, 2003)
