As people in our Tri-County area and throughout the state learn more about discrimination and see more of the misleading tactics of the Christian Civic League, they have increasingly supported civil rights for gay folks.

In the seven years since the 1998 referendum, support for civil rights has grown by 10 percent locally and 7 percent throughout the state. In Lewiston, support grew from 37 percent to 53 percent. But the support grew in smaller towns, too. In Waterford, support grew from 39 percent to 56 percent; in Woodstock, support grew from 30 percent to 41 percent; and in Jay, support grew from 29 percent to 41 percent. More and more people believe that everyone deserves a fair chance.

This trend is in part the result of the work of many people who worked on this issue by talking to and listening to friends and neighbors, having house parties, going to events, writing letters to the editor, making telephone calls to identify voters, putting up signs, watching polls, making telephone calls at 6:30 p.m. on election night and driving someone to the polls at 7:57 p.m.

I’m delighted with the results in this area. Now that this civil rights issue is off the ballot and into the law books, I hope that the rank-and-file members of certain Christian communities in the area will tell their leaders to put their focus on building our community instead of trying to break it down.

Michael Newsom, South Paris

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