CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Amid further legislative action to make Maine the final New England state to adopt a gay rights law, the Maine senate on Tuesday rejected a bid to send an antibias bill out to referendum if it's enacted. Senators voted 22-13 against an amendment calling for a referendum before sending the bill to the house. The senate also shot down a follow-up amendment, designed to weaken the bill, that would have made the losers in state human rights commission cases pay the costs of hearing their complaints. The bill, submitted by Gov. John Baldacci, would amend the Maine Human Rights Act by making discrimination in employment, housing, credit, public accommodations, and education based on sexual orientation or gender identity illegal. Maine law now prohibits discrimination based on race, color, sex, disability, religion, ancestry, and national origin. On Tuesday, Republican senator Debra Plowman of Hampden proposed the referendum amendment, saying that Mainers want to have a voice on the issue as they have in the past. Voters in 1998 and 2000 rejected gay rights measures that had been enacted by the legislature. But Democratic senator Barry Hobbins said the issue has a longer referendum history. If a 1995 referendum, in which voters rejected a proposal that would have diminished rights for gays, is also taken into account, total votes to protect gays from discrimination outnumber those against those protections, he said. "If you actually look at the totals...this issue has really been voted on three times," said Hobbins. "Don't let anyone tell you the people have spoken [only] twice." Opponents of the gay rights bill have accused supporters of rushing it through the legislative process in an effort to cut short their time to organize for a likely "people's veto" referendum on the measure. Hobbins rejected that claim, saying supporters are anxious to complete work on the bill in case the legislature adjourns within the next few days in a procedural step to enact a state budget. Lawmakers would then reconvene. The gay rights bill exempts religious organizations that do not receive public funds. (AP)
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Here Are Our 2024 Election Predictions. Will They Come True?
November 07 2023 1:46 PM
17 Celebs Who Are Out & Proud of Their Trans & Nonbinary Kids
November 30 2023 10:41 AM
Here Are the 15 Most LGBTQ-Friendly Cities in the U.S.
November 01 2023 5:09 PM
Which State Is the Queerest? These Are the States With the Most LGBTQ+ People
December 11 2023 10:00 AM
These 27 Senate Hearing Room Gay Sex Jokes Are Truly Exquisite
December 17 2023 3:33 PM
10 Cheeky and Homoerotic Photos From Bob Mizer's Nude Films
November 18 2023 10:05 PM
30 Steamy Photos of Folsom Street Fair 2023 Debauchery
October 15 2023 11:06 PM
42 Flaming Hot Photos From 2024's Australian Firefighters Calendar
November 10 2023 6:08 PM
These Are the 5 States With the Smallest Percentage of LGBTQ+ People
December 13 2023 9:15 AM
60 Burly Pics from Bearrison Street Fair 2022
October 08 2023 8:30 PM
Watch Now: Advocate Channel
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Latest Stories
Prince William's aversion to spectacle created one — and might spawn a King Harry
March 22 2024 6:24 PM
Outrage after Oklahoma prosecutor declines charges in Nex Benedict bullying death
March 22 2024 5:21 PM
George Santos leaves Republican Party, will run for House seat as independent
March 22 2024 4:07 PM
Catherine, Princess of Wales, announces she has cancer
March 22 2024 2:57 PM
Pride
Yahoo FeedProhibition Wellness & revolutionizing self-care for all
March 22 2024 1:19 PM
Biden sacrifices LGBTQ+ Pride flags at U.S. embassies to pass 'critical' spending bill
March 22 2024 12:37 PM
Tennessee bill would permit anti-LGBTQ+ foster and adoptee parents
March 22 2024 11:54 AM
Plus
Yahoo Feed8 dating tips for gay men from a gay psychotherapist
March 22 2024 11:51 AM
Trans woman assailed during Kanye West's Rolling Loud set beats back 'bullies' (exclusive)
March 22 2024 11:34 AM
Out Congress members outraged as anti-LGBTQ+ bills advance
March 21 2024 6:59 PM
RuPaul shades 'masculine white gay men' who project 'internalized homophobia'
March 21 2024 5:43 PM
Alabama forces universities to implement trans bathroom ban while outlawing DEI
March 21 2024 3:55 PM
'Cruel' Nebraska senator investigated after using colleague's name in a rape scene
March 21 2024 3:51 PM
Police arrest Russian nightclub employees over drag show
March 21 2024 2:24 PM
Pride
Yahoo FeedUnleash your fiery spirit with The Pride Store’s Aries gift guide
March 21 2024 2:08 PM
Cable news coverage of 2023 anti-trans bills lacked trans voices: Media Matters
March 21 2024 12:45 PM