Now that the gay community has the additional protections under the law it feel it needs, it may be appropriate to pose a couple of questions. My initial reaction to the legislators passing the gay-rights legislation was that they were flipping the voters the bird. After more reflection, it may be OK for legislators to override the voters from time to time, since they have a different perspective. Maybe that’s why we pay them the big bucks we do.

More importantly, we may need to wonder together about the notion that Maine won’t discriminate, which was central to the campaign the gay community waged. Might the gay community help to clarify any distortions such a campaign slogan has left?

In fact, Maine does discriminate. We discriminate against women who routinely get a dollar less per hour than do men for comparable work. We discriminate against the handicapped in the workplace. And, I suspect, if history is a guide, we will see substantial discrimination against the elderly as the baby boomers roll past 65 in the next few years.

What can the gay community do to right the idea that Maine won’t discriminate? I’d like to think they feel some responsibility to ask that question among themselves and possibly find ways to help protect those who suffer ongoing discrimination.

Jim Tierney, Auburn

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