Maine Won't Discriminate Airs First TV Ad Against Discrimination

Television stations throughout the state began airing the first paid ad for Maine Won’t Discriminate, which highlights the importance of Maine’s Anti-Discrimination law. The law prohibits discrimination based upon sexual orientation in employment, housing, public accommodations, credit and education. The ad features excerpts from public testimony at the Legislature last spring documenting the experiences of real people hurt by discrimination in Maine.
“What we learned from those who testified at the public hearing and from many other people who have spoken out during this campaign is that discrimination happens in Maine and that there is a very real human cost,” began Ted O’Meara, Senior Consultant for Maine Won’t Discriminate. “Maine people need to know the truth about the anti-discrimination law, and why it is necessary. The men and women that stood courageously before the Judiciary Committee, sharing their experiences, deserve to be heard. Brad Nadeau, Martin Ripley, and Hall Wilkie, upon whose testimony the ad is based, are just a few of the many men and women that have spoken out about the discrimination they faced in Maine. What happened to them, the discrimination they faced, should never happen again. No one should be fired from their job or endure harassment and threats simply because they are gay.”
More than thirty organizations including the Maine Council of Churches, the Maine Chamber of Commerce, the Maine Education Association and the NAACP Maine Chapter have joined the Maine Won’t Discriminate campaign. “We wanted to make sure Maine voters knew about the overwhelming show of support from among others, faith-based groups, local businesses, state-based employee associations, medical organizations, and educators. These groups may not agree on many issues, but they all agree that discrimination is wrong and it should be illegal, which is why they oppose Question 1,” continued O’Meara.
“We believe this ad reinforces what this referendum is about for Maine voters. It also reminds voters that a No vote keeps Maine’s Anti-Discrimination Law on the books and a Yes vote will take those protections away- nothing more, nothing less,” concluded O’Meara.
from MaineToday.com