Gov. Baldacci has told us that homosexuals in the state of Maine need special civil rights because they have been discriminated against in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodations, credit and educational opportunities. Could someone please tell me when they’ve made their case for all of this “discrimination?”

As a group, homosexuals have much higher incomes than the average Mainer. According to 2000 Census data, the median combined income of self-identified gay couples reported was $65,000, nearly 60 percent higher than the national average of $42,148. They certainly have a great deal more political power than their numbers reflect. What public school have they ever been kept out of? Have you ever heard of a credit company not willing to extend a loan to anyone who can make the payments? What public accommodations are gays being kept from? Where are the documented cases of landlords refusing to rent to homosexuals? Shouldn’t we have some proof of discrimination before we create a special minority class?

Portland has had a law similar to Gov. Baldacci’s since 1992 and they have not documented one case of discrimination. In Portland, the Salvation Army faithfully delivered Meals on Wheels to shut-ins for many years. This job was taken from them because they refused, based on their religious beliefs, to hire homosexuals. That is documented discrimination.

Please consider the facts. Please vote yes on Question 1.

Greg Poliquin, Auburn