The Central Valley Alliance of Atheists and Skeptics regrets the loss of human rights suffered by same-sex partners in Maine during yesterday’s election.
Opponents to same-sex rights campaigned on a platform of fear and misinformation and won their bid to strip basic rights and protections from the LGBT community by a slim margin.
Although gains were made in other states for domestic partnerships and protections against discrimination, these gains still fail to bestow equal rights on families that are equal in everything except gender.
There is some hope. Although same-sex marriage foes have made gains through referendum, they have only been able to do so through the barest of margins and only through rhetoric designed to misinform, and cause doubt and fear toward the LGBT community. We in California have watched two referendums pass. Proposition 22 passed with 61.4% of the vote, and Proposition 8 passed with 52.24% of the vote. Clearly the electorate has become more informed, and less in fear of change.
There will be a candlelight vigil for the anniversary of Prop 8 tonight at the corner of Blackstone and Shaw from 6:30 pm to 8pm. CVAAS members and supporters are welcome and encouraged to attend.
