Statement from Executive Director Jennifer Chrisler

Boston, MA ( November 4, 2009 ) —The battle for marriage equality took a hard hit today. Today voters in Maine stripped marriage away from lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender ( LGBT ) individuals.

While this is a disappointing result, the fight for LGBT equality will continue. Family Equality Council will continue to fight with and for LGBT families for full equality until it is achieved across the U.S.

Statement of Jennifer Chrisler, Executive Director, Family Equality Council:

"In the long march to full equality, today we pause to grieve with and for the families and children who have temporarily lost the promise of equality under Maine law. Our freedoms have been stripped away, but we must and will win them back. When the rawness of our pain and grief lessens, LGBT families will do what they do so naturally -- stand together and tell our stories. Connecting with other families has always been the key to educating, dreaming and inspiring hope which will lead to the changing of enough hearts and minds to win our freedom. Our visibility as LGBT families is strong and providing positive results nationwide. The fight will continue and we will again make marriage a reality for our families in Maine."

FROM AN HRC NEWS RELEASE

Maine Families Denied Protections in Marriage Vote

Voters in WA Likely to Approve Ref 71; NY-23 Rejects Extremism

WASHINGTON- Today the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, expressed profound sadness and anger at the passage of Question 1 in Maine. Question 1 was a referendum vetoing the state's law recognizing same-sex marriages. Also in last night's election results, voters in Washington are headed for approval of Referendum 71, an initiative to approve the state's domestic partnership law. And in New York's 23rd Congressional district, voters rejected the anti-gay extremist positions of Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman, instead electing Democrat Bill Owens.

"Although we lost our battle in Maine, we will not allow the lies and hate—the foundation on which our opponents built their campaign—to break our spirits. We are on the right side of history and we will continue this fight," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "I am angry. But more importantly, I am determined that with the anger I feel today from this outcome in Maine, we'll rise ever stronger to demand equal treatment under the law and equal respect for our relationships in Maine, California, New Jersey, and every state of the Union."

Maine was poised to become the fifth state in the United States to recognize same-sex marriage in May 2009, after the measure was passed by the state Senate and House of Representatives and signed into law by Governor John Baldacci. The issue was placed on the statewide ballot after opponents to marriage equality submitted sufficient signatures for a people's veto referendum.

"This law did not threaten families; rather it was an historic step that strengthened Maine families. For enacting this law, we owe a debt of gratitude to Maine legislators and Governor Baldacci and for giving their best to protect it at the ballot. We also thank the incredibly talented and dedicated staff and volunteers who brought life to the No on 1 campaign."

In the state of Washington, a bill to expand domestic partner benefits was passed in May 2009 and signed into law by Governor Christine Gregoire. The measure was placed on the ballot after opponents collected enough signatures to qualify for a referendum. The law provides state-registered same-sex and senior domestic partners with the same state-level benefits that married couples enjoy. Voters in Washington appear to have approved the new law by passing the initiative.

"Although we are bitterly disappointed at the loss in Maine, we are also able to see what appears to be a silver lining in Washington where the people of that state joined together and have likely voiced a 'yes' for equality. Their votes will ensure that state-registered domestic partners will be fully protected under the law," said Solmonese.

In New York, Democrat Bill Owens was elected to represent the 23rd Congressional district of that state. The race took a dramatic turn when the Republican candidate state assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava, a supporter of marriage equality endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign PAC, withdrew from the race in the face of blistering attacks by Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman, his backers in the Club for Growth and many within the conservative wing of the Republican Party. The National Organization for Marriage endorsed Hoffman and conducted an independent expenditure campaign on his behalf.

After the withdrawal of Scozzafava, and her subsequent endorsement of Owens, HRC worked to mobilize support for Owens through e-mail and phone calls to its more than 1,000 members and supporters in the 23rd Congressional district.

"The voters in New York's 23rd Congressional district stood up and rejected bigotry," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "Voters sent a clear signal of who they want to represent them and defeated the extreme positions held by Doug Hoffman. We salute tonight's victory in New York."

Statement by GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios on 2009 Election Results in Maine, Washington and Kalamazoo, Mich.

New York, NY, November 4, 2009 — The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation ( GLAAD ) today called on the nation's media to focus on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender ( LGBT ) people and couples in covering the results and aftermath of yesterday's votes in Maine, Washington state and Kalamazoo, Mich.

In Maine, voters eliminated the state's marriage equality law, which was passed by the state legislature and signed by Gov. John Baldacci earlier this year.

"We are disappointed and disheartened by results in Maine, where we saw marriage equality eliminated for loving and committed couples," said Jarrett Barrios, President of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation ( GLAAD ) . "It's wrong to take basic rights and protections away from neighbors, friends and co-workers who just want the same opportunity to care for their loved ones and families. It's wrong, unfair and, frankly, un-American. Many Mainers voted that responsibility and commitment should continue to be respected and protected, but a slim majority wrested away the basic protections of marriage from couples and their families. Opponents campaigned on fear and misinformation leaving those loving and committed gay and lesbian couples- and our allies- back to square one: forced to lead lives without the needed protections that marriage affords. We must commit to sharing more stories on the truth about our lives and families to ensure the legal protections of marriage for all loving, committed couples."

In Kalamazoo, Mich., voters approved a nondiscrimination ordinance that covers sexual orientation and gender identity and prevents gay and transgender people from being fired from their jobs for being openly gay or transgender.

"In Kalamazoo, Mich., fairness prevailed. Voters sent a message that all hardworking people should be treated fairly and have the chance to earn a living and provide for themselves and their families without fear of being fired for reasons that have nothing to do with their job performance."

"The tireless commitment of state and local campaigns in support of LGBT equality led by Protect Maine Equality, One Kalamazoo and Washington Families Standing Together, along with hundreds of volunteers as well as representatives from national organizations, opened many more doors for our community as we continue to work toward full equality."

In Washington state, first-day election returns on Referendum 71 showed that a majority of voters are backing the state's expanded domestic partnership law. Full results are not yet known because ballots did not have to be received by Election Day, only postmarked by Election Day.

"We are encouraged by these early results that Washington voters support advancing important legal protections to all Washingtonians," continued Barrios.

FROM A NEWS RELEASE

Statement from Michael Crawford, Co-Chair of D.C. for Marriage on the Repeal of Marriage Equality in Maine:

"DC for Marriage is saddened to see fear-based lies once again trump the truth about same-sex couples and our families. Our hearts go out to the thousands of individuals who worked on the No on 1 campaign in Maine.

In the nation's capitol, we are encouraged by the continuing strong, diverse support for marriage equality in Washington, D.C. At the same time, we remain committed to our outreach and education efforts as we face similar opposition to that of our brothers and sisters in Maine. Just this week, over 80% of the witnesses at the recent marriage bill hearings expressed support for marriage equality. Scores of D.C. residents from all backgrounds and representing the full diversity of the District are proving their commitment to fairness and equality for all families - including gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender families.

Yet we must remain vigilant. Our opposition lacks shame and integrity, and is willing to do whatever it takes to misinform and scare the public about our lives. The same cabal of anti-gay groups who stripped away marriage equality from our families in California and Maine now have their sights on D.C.

In recent months, the National Organization for Marriage ( NOM ) , with its $6 million budget and questionable organizational practices, has joined the ranks of other outsiders like Maryland pastor Harry Jackson, by moving into the District with the stated goal of undercutting D.C.'s democratically-elected government on the issue of marriage equality. NOM and Jackson are committed to forcing a divisive ballot initiative on our city to ban marriage between same-sex couples.

Let's be clear: while they frame their call for discrimination as a voting rights issue, it is nothing more than a manipulative and politically motivated attack on same-sex couples and our families.

NOM and Jackson are hoping the same fear based lies used in California and Maine will work in D.C. They are wrong. In D.C., we believe all people and families should be treated equally and have no need for outsiders to come into our city and advocate discrimination against our friends and our neighbors. The D.C. City Council should pass the marriage equality bill as quickly as possible."

For more information about DC for Marriage go to: http://dcformarriage.blogspot.com