Special Rights: Christian American, February 1995, page 19 Grassroots Battle Gay Militants By Larry Lockman Most Americans think of Maine as a state of quaint seaside villages, where salt-wind-weathered "Down-Easters" pull on corncob pipes to keep warm, check their lobster pots, and say "Ay-uh" every hour or so. "Before this November ends," according to Portland housewife Carolyn Cosby, "the nation will be seeing Maine in a whole different -- and contentious -- light." That's because on Jan. 12, Maine Secretary of State Bill Diamond announced approval of 60,683 grass-roots-initiated signatures -- 8,400 more than the 52,300 needed -- on petitions to force a November general election vote on legislation that would prevent "gay rights" advocates (and other special interests) From: securing special civil rights status previously reserved for disadvantaged "minority" groups. Immediately, "gay rights" advocates began... * Issuing wildly-inflated reports of "hate crimes" and "bias incidents" against gays to create sympathy in support of a sweeping statewide "gay rights" proposal; and * Savagely vilifying Concerned Maine Families (CMF), the grassroots citizen organization promoting the initiative, as "discriminators, bigots, hatemongers, neo-Nazis, rigid-righters" to create enough adverse public opinion to defeat CMF's measure. But gay militants will have a tough time persuading Maine voters that either CMF Chairman Carolyn Cosby, CMF's volunteer campaign staff, or CMF's initiative itself fit a malignant stereotype. Cosby, 43, has led CMF From: her coal-stove-heated basement home office since February 1993. To date, CMF has chalked up a series of "knockout" victories against gay activists and their political, academic, religious and media allies. CMF played a key role in a successful referendum against a bill passed the year before in Lewiston, Maine's second-largest city. Considered a "long chance" just months before, CMF triumphed by a whopping 68 to 32 percent margin, despite being outspent better than 10-1 by gay activists. Cosby and CMF have also launched a successful statewide campaign to place "An Act to Limit Protected Classes Under Maine Law" before Maine voters in November. "That success didn't come easy, Cosby told Christian American. "We had to beat back an ACLU court challenge against our right to circulate our petitions. We had to stand firm to establish our right to petition on postal premises. We had to put up with constant harassment of our petitioners and petition signers by gay activists egged on by ACT-UP and other gay extremist groups. "We spent less than $8,500 to qualify for the statewide ballot beating the $46,000-plus gay militants spent to stop us. And because our initiative deals only with 'civil rights' questions and doesn't talk about, gay sexual behavior or 'moral issues.'" Cosby thinks the unique approach CMF takes accounts for the initiative's broad-based support "First of all," Cosby said, "it's tough for militants to pin a 'Christian right' label on CMF. People just don't believe it. They know that Catholic and Protestant Christians, Orthodox Jews, conservatives, Republicans, and even principled liberal Democrats have all carried petitions for us. "Second, it's hard for gay extremists to tar CMF's initiative with the 'anti-gay' brush they'd like to." That's because, unlike second-cousin initiatives in other states CMF's initiative language, written by Virginia constitutional attorney (and U.S. Supreme Court bar member) Bruce Fein, makes no mention whatsoever of homosexuality, homosexuals or sexual orientation. CMF's proposed act simply states that the listing of groups specially protected under Maine's Human Rights act, which is now identical to that of "traditional disadvantaged 'minorities'" protected by federal statutes, will remain "as is." Fein's language also contains a key "escape hatch" clause that preserves Maine's legislature's "authority" to consider claims by, and perhaps allow inclusion of, additional classes which may ask in future for "minority" recognition. This "escape hatch" refutes gay militants' claim that CMF's initiative will "bind Maine's legislature" or "prevent gays From: ever even seeking protected class status." Cosby said, "Our initiative simply ensures that groups unqualified for special protected class status can be fenced out. We believe it's only reasonable that groups who want to enjoy the special civil rights status of disadvantaged and politically powerless people should prove they are disadvantaged and powerless before we hand them 'protected' status and everything that goes with it -- the ability to sue for 'discrimination,' affirmative action and other benefits." Maine gay militants say they're ready to spend $2 million or more to defeat CMF's initiative (CMF plans to raise just $150,000) in a state with only 500,000 voters. That's more than half what gay militant PACs spent nationwide to help get Bill Clinton elected. "There's no way we can compete with the media blitz they can buy. But we've got grass-roots, low-to-the-ground educational strategies they can't compete with. Plus, we've got a secret weapon they can't buy or steal -- the truth! CMF is de-fusing militants' attempts to label them "hate-mongers" by publicly supporting a statewide "No Room for Hate" campaign launched against both gay-and straight bashing by nearly 200 Maine churches. CMF and church leaders have signed -- and repeatedly (but to no avail) invited gay militant leaders to sign resolutions that would bind both sides to "civil and principled" debate on CMF's initiative. In addition, several churches are exploring compassionate outreach to gay individuals who seek to abandon gay "sexual orientation." "The public doesn't hear us 'demonize' the entire gay community. So they just don't believe we're 'gayhaters.'" CMF's "non-disgust" approach and the Maine initiative's unique language give Bruce Fein confidence that the initiative's "constitutionality will be sustained" in the higher courts that eventually review it. For that reason, Fein says, "The Maine initiative carries major national ramifications." Gay militant attorneys have stated publicly that CMF's language represents perhaps the most formidable legal challenge they've ever faced -- one that threatens to undo more than 45 years of gay activist gains. "Because they know how strong this initiative really is," Cosby said, "we fully expect the whole collective wrath of American gay militancy to hurl itself at Maine." "Maine gay militants deny they're seeking help From: outside the state, said Peter LaBarbera, publisher of Lambda Report on Homosexuality, a Washington, D.C. -based newsletter that monitors the movement. "I've already seen appeals for outside help by Maine gay activists on America OnLine and the Internet (national computer networks)" "We have the goods on our opponents. The only way I can see us losing is if we fail to get the funding we need to send our message to everyone in Maine," said Cosby. "Our primary challenge right now is to secure the resources it'll take to get this tough job done. Once we've done it, then maybe we can get back to 'corncob pipes and lobster pots' as usual." (Larry Lockman frequently publishes columns in Maine's leading newspapers.) For more information about Maine's initiative campaign, contact Carolyn Cosby at the office of Concerned Maine Families: 48 Glen Haven Rd. W, Portland, ME 04102; (207) 773-0575. The Maine Initiative Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter or any other provision of law, protected classes or suspect classifications under state or local human rights laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, charter provisions or policies are limited to race, color, sex, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status, and marital status. Any provision of State or local law, rule, regulation, ordinance, charter provision or policy inconsistent with this section is void and unenforceable. This section, being necessary for the welfare of the State and the inhabitants of Maine, shall be liberally construed to accomplish its purpose and is not to be interpreted or applied as a limitation or restriction on authority as enumerated in the Maine Constitution. * * * Carolyn Cosby has led Maine's successful grassroots struggle to place CMF's initiative curbing "gay-rights' on Maine's ballot in November. [end quoted material]