“Yvette is retired and owns a two-apartment building on East Avenue in Lewiston. She lives on the first floor.” This was the opening of Bryan Dench’s guest column Oct. 30. Unfortunately, what followed was wholly inaccurate.

The Maine Human Rights Act, which gives Maine people legal protection from discrimination, has an exemption for homeowners such as Yvette. While it is possible to regulate certain business practices, it is understood that one cannot legislate private interactions. This is why duplex homeowners can legally discriminate against anyone based on race, religion, national origin, etc., and would be able to continue to do so even if a person is gay, or thought to be gay, should the referendum fail.

Maine has a long tradition of standing up for human rights. Let’s put an end to second-class citizenship for some of our friends, neighbors, aunts, uncles and children.

The anti-discrimination law is about simple fairness. It addresses the issues of a person being denied credit, educational opportunity, public accommodation or a job solely because of sexual orientation.

Rep. Deborah Pelletier-Simpson, Auburn