Lee Swislow, Executive Director of Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) released the following statement about Maine’s anti-discrimination law:

Yesterday, Maine’s voters embraced fairness for all its citizens by voting overwhelmingly to retain its anti-discrimination law. During a hard-fought campaign, voters heard about the discrimination faced by their neighbors, and they responded by affirming the state’s commitment to fair play on basic issues like holding a job and finding a place to live.

Congratulations go to our hard-working, dedicated colleagues at Maine Won’t Discriminate and Equality Maine. And our gratitude goes to the brave people who have stepped forward and told how they have been harassed at school, threatened at work, and turned away from public services because they are gay. 

This vote is part of national trend toward full equality for lgbt people. Data compiled by the American Enterprise Institute shows that over the past thirty years, Americans have increasingly embraced equal treatment for lgbt people in employment – from 56% in 1977 to 87% in 2005. Maine joins fifteen other states, including all the New England states, that have anti-discrimination laws. State anti-discrimination laws or local ordinances now cover over half of the country.

GLAD has worked tirelessly with partners in Maine to make this law a reality. We helped to draft the law, recruited and prepared witnesses for hearings, planned strategy, provided a full-time staff person to the campaign, and helped shape messages. We now stand ready to ensure that the law is properly implemented and enforced. 

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