Gay Rights Foe Runs for Maine Governor

Michael Heath, the former executive director of the Christian Civic League of Maine and an avowed opponent of the state's gay rights laws over the years, has registered as a gubernatorial candidate.

According to The Portland Press Herald, "Heath recently announced the formation of a group called the American Family Association of Maine. At the time, he said he was 're-entering public life to continue the fight against the gay-rights lobby.'"

Listed as an unenrolled candidate, Heath has until June 1 to collect at least 4,000 signatures to qualify for the November ballot.

Heath served 15 years with the Christian Civic League, and led two people's veto efforts to overturn gay rights laws in Maine, the Press Herald reports. He resigned from the league, now called the Maine Family Policy Council, in September, and was not a public face in the effort to overturn the state's marriage equality law.