AUGUSTA (AP) – Witnesses lined up to tell their stories of discrimination and harassment as an overflow crowd turned out Wednesday for a legislative hearing on Gov. John Baldacci’s bill to make Maine the last New England state to bar discrimination against gays and lesbians.

“The long and short of why I am here is this: I am a hard worker and enjoy having a job. But it’s been very hard for me to keep a job since I came out nine years ago,” Martin Ripley of Augusta told the Judiciary Committee.

Ripley said he was subjected to death threats while working at Bath Iron Works and decided to quit after he was struck in the back with a bolt. He said his sexual orientation caused him to be fired from subsequent jobs, although he now has a decent occupation.

“At times, I’ve slept in my car for weeks at a time or camped out in a tent because I could not afford any rent,” said Ripley. “I am a hard worker. I have moved on because I have had no choice.”

Others told stories of being denied credit, made to feel unwelcome at a hotel and knowing others who have considered suicide after being harassed because of their sexual orientation.

“I’m ashamed that our current law condones discrimination,” said state Attorney General Steven Rowe. “It troubles me to my core.”

The bill would amend the Maine Human Rights Act by oulawing discrimination in employment, housing, credit, public accommodations and education based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The law now prohibits discrimination based on race, color, sex, disability, religion, ancestry and national origin.

Republican Sen. Karl Turner of Cumberland, sponsor of the Democratic governor’s bill, said the measure would not extend special rights to any class of people, as opponents claim.

Turner acknowledged another point raised by opponents: that Maine voters have twice rejected gay rights laws. But Turner defended his bill, saying “it is a legislative prerogative” and responsibility to pass such laws.

A 1997 law extending gay rights was repealed by a “people’s veto” the following year. Another legislatively enacted bill that included a referendum provision was defeated by voters in 2000. The bill before the Legislature now has no referendum provision.

Rep. Brian Duprey, R-Hampden, questioned the testimony of those who said they were fired simply because they are gay. As an owner of a business that employs 40 people, Duprey said it would put him at a competitive disadvantage to fire a productive employee who is gay.

Duprey suggested other factors must have been at play in the workers’ dismissals, adding, “I would insist the committee ask to see this person’s personnel file.”

John Linnehan, an unsuccessful state Senate candidate last year who represented the Hancock County Republican Committee Wednesday, said the bill would “open the door to homosexual marriage (or) homosexual civil unions.”

Rep. James Hamper, R-Oxford, told the committee that another public vote is warranted: “If you do pass it, let’s go to referendum on this.”

A separate, similar bill, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Michael Brennan, would exempt religious organizations that do not receive public funds from its anti-bias provisions.

Brennan told the committee he submitted his bill before Baldacci’s surfaced. But Brennan said he now supports the governor’s bill and would not object if the committee killed his own proposal.

Earlier in the day, the House of Representatives rejected a measure sponsored by Duprey, who said he wanted to make sure taxpayer funds can’t pay for sex change operations for state employees if a gay rights bill passes.

In opposing Duprey’s order, Democratic House Majority leader Glenn Cummings of Portland said involving the Legislature in what goes into state employee contracts would set a bad precedent.

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