Is hatred and mistrust of people because of their sexual orientation the behavior of a Christian? No.

Jack Wyman was the Christian Civic League’s executive director from 1984-1994. He told the organization to give up its fight against our current gay-rights law. He said it would be un-Christian to treat other humans so harshly: to fire them from a job, to kick them out of a hotel, or to threaten them with violence because they are gay.

Does this unChristian behavior happen in Maine? Yes. The attorney general says a third of all hate crimes in Maine are based on sexual orientation. And here are a few specific stories of discrimination:

Martin Ripley 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.

Paul Knowles, superintendent of schools, SAD 11, says, “As a teacher and administrator in the public schools for 26 years, I have witnessed and dealt with dozens of blatant verbal and physical attacks against students who have been perceived as, or were openly gay and/or lesbian.”

Tom Craveiro and Hall Wilkie were told they would have to leave a Northeast Harbor inn when the innkeeper realized they were gay.

Gay people in Maine are mistreated because they are gay and this must stop.

Michael Newsom, South Paris