PORTLAND – A study released Thursday in advance of next month’s gay rights referendum concluded that discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals is a serious problem in Maine.
The nonscientific study by the Center for the Prevention of Hate Violence was based largely on interviews with people who felt they had experienced discrimination during the past five years.
Nearly half the incidents detailed in the 33-page report involved harassment, firings, refusals to hire and changes in terms of employment. Most of the other incidents were in the areas of public accommodations or education.
The individuals cited as victims of discrimination were given pseudonyms, and the report did not identify the businesses, schools or hospitals involved.
The report was written by the center’s director, Stephen Wessler, who said the findings were more disturbing than he anticipated. The report said many victims of discrimination lost their sense of security, leaving some with problems of anxiety, depression and physical ailments.
“Discrimination based on sexual orientation, particularly in employment, is a serious problem in Maine. The impact of this discrimination is both deep and destructive,” the report concluded.
Wessler said the study was intended to provide the public with important factual information prior to the Nov. 8 vote on whether to repeal a new state law that bans discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
He said that in the 21 years since the issue first went before the Legislature, the study was the first to compile data that reflects the extent of discrimination based on sexual orientation.
“We could not have done this report if we included people’s names,” he said. “There is a level of fear that is justifiable.”
The Christian Civic League of Maine, which has spearheaded the people’s veto campaign against the law, took issue with the methodology of the study and its release so close to the election.
“We’re confident that Maine citizens will see through the ‘validity and impartiality’ of this report,” said Tim Russell, the league’s legislative liaison.
Wessler said the center, a privately funded nonprofit, is taking no stand on the referendum, although he plans to vote against repeal of the law. The center has previously conducted studies on discrimination and harassment targeted at the homeless, Muslims and other immigrant groups.
The following accounts were taken from interviews included in the report:
• A gay man in his 50s who worked at a food production plant in Androscoggin County said he was harassed by co-workers for more than 20 years because of his sexual orientation.
They taunted him with slurs, mimicked stereotypical mannerisms and assaulted him, making him sick. He said the company told him to quit if he didn’t like it.
• A transgender man in his 20s was turned down for an outreach position at a nonprofit organization in Androscoggin County. He was told the employer had concerns about how clients might react to him because of his sexual orientation and gender identity.
• A gay man in his 20s with two years experience in retail sales interviewed for a cashier’s position at a large retail store in western Maine. After learning he was gay, the human resources worker told him the company would require a full physical examination, including an AIDS test. “We don’t insure people with AIDS. So, if you have AIDS, you might want to apply someplace else,” she was quoted saying. A receptionist told him about two weeks later that he didn’t have the right qualifications and was “ineligible for employment.”
• A lesbian in her 30s arrived at the checkout counter at a western Maine grocery store. The cashier said, “I don’t wait on disgusting dykes like you.” The woman left without buying any groceries.
• Two lesbians held hands while swimming at a public pool in central Maine. The lifeguard said they couldn’t continue to hold hands because it was considered a “family environment.”
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