It’s something when a person is considered courageous for being himself.

Tuesday night on the floor of the Maine House of Representatives, Rep. William Walcott, a Lewiston Democrat, told the world he was gay.

The revelation came during impassioned debate over a bill that would make it illegal to discriminate against someone based upon his or her sexual orientation. The measure passed the House, 88-62, and is moving toward the desk of Gov. Baldacci, who has made the bill one of his priorities.

Discrimination against gays and lesbians has been made more difficult, but it has not been defeated. On that score, Republican opponents of the bill, L.D. 1196, are right. You cannot legislate dignity or respect. Prejudice exists today and will just as surely exist after the governor signs this bill into law.

To defeat discrimination, you must tear down its foundation, one brick at a time. L.D. 1196 makes that job easier by denying legal justification to those motivated by fear or hate to act out against people based on their sexual orientation.

But success ultimately depends on individuals to make the right choices, to stand up for justice, to value people for their differences and to act courageously.

Walcott made a difficult and public choice to discuss his sexuality. It was courageous. He has weakened the foundation of hate by speaking out. It’s hard to predict the consequences Walcott will face for making his private life public. The ramifications could extend beyond his political career and open him to the very discrimination that he was trying to defeat.

The anti-discrimination bill will broaden the definition of basic civil rights to include all residents, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age or national origin. It protects against discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, credit and education.