Date: Fri, 09 May 97 11:22:07 EST From: "NGLTF" Subject: MAINE Passes Civil Rights Bill ************************************************************** NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE PRESS RELEASE Contact: Mark F. Johnson, Media Director mfjohnson@ngltf.org 202/332-6483 x3314 pager 1-800/757-6476 2320 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 http://www.ngltf.org ************************************************************** MAINE HOUSE PASSES CIVIL RIGHTS BILL; MEASURE NOW GOES TO GOVERNOR FOR SIGNATURE Washington, DC---May 6, 1997---- The Maine House of Representatives gave gay rights advocates one more reason to celebrate when it passed a civil rights bill that would ban discrimination in employment, housing, credit and public accommodations Thursday night. The bill, which passed by a vote of 84-61 came one day after the Senate approved the measure by a 28-5 vote. Maine would become the 11th state to offer gays and lesbians civil rights protection. The New Hampshire legislature passed the measure earlier in the week. With the expected signature of both governors, every state in New England would ban civil rights discrimination against gays. The nine other states that have passed similar legislation are Rhode Island (1995); Minnesota (1993); Vermont, New Jersey and California (1992); Connecticut and Hawaii (1991); Massachusetts (1989) and Wisconsin (1982). Although Governor Angus King has pledged to sign the measure, opponents may mount a referendum campaign to block the law this year or to overturn it in 1998. "The people of Maine know what is right," said Kerry Lobel, Executive Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, (NGLTF). "They have always demonstrated a strong, independent way of thinking," she added. Lobel said she was "very encouraged" by the vote in Maine. "Momentum is on the rise for equal treatment for gay, lesbian and bisexual people in this nation," she went on, "and state capitals are at ground zero of this historic effort." Gay and lesbian activists in the state have worked on this measure for the past 20 years. "This is a historic moment," noted Karen Garaghty of the Maine Lesbian and Gay Political Alliance. "We join the other five New England states in putting an end to discrimination against gay, lesbian and bisexual citizens in our state," she added. "We hope the strong message New England is sending will ripple across the country." To contact the Maine Lesbian and Gay Political Alliance, call (207) 761-3732. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is the oldest national gay and lesbian group and is a progressive organization that has supported grassroots organizing and pioneered in national advocacy since 1973. Since its inception, NGLTF has been at the forefront of virtually every major initiative for lesbian and gay rights. In all its efforts, NGLTF helps to strengthen the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender movement at the state level while connecting these activities to a national vision for change. - 30 - _________________________________________ This message was issued by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Media Department. If you have any questions regarding this post, please direct them to one of the contacts at the top of this message If you wish to UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, please send an email with "UNSUBSCRIBE PRESSLIST" in the subject and body of your email message to .