Gov. Baldacci says it is time for Maine to align itself with other New England states and pass legislation protecting gays from discrimination in matters of credit, housing and employment, even though Maine voters have defeated attempts at such legislation at least a half-dozen times since I’ve lived here.

Maine laws offer gays the same protection as the rest of us; yet, they continually bemoan discrimination, therefore, the need for special laws.

I have applied for credit, housing and employment numerous times in my life. Not once has the topic of my sexual orientation ever come up in interviews. And I’d be willing to bet the same would be applicable to most readers. If my credit were acceptable, I received the loan; if my references were satisfactory, I got the apartment; if I were qualified, I was hired. Why, then, does sexual orientation become such a huge factor when gays apply for credit, housing or employment? Are they so compelled as to introduce their sexual orientation into the interviews?

Heterosexuals usually define themselves by who they are; their sexuality being only part of their makeup, not the core. Gays seem inclined to define themselves by their sexual orientation. If they desisted in doing this, perhaps special laws might not be needed to protect them from discrimination.

Is it possible that some of their problems may be self-inflicted?

Paul St. Jean, Lewiston

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