Date: Fri, 16 May 97 19:55:51 EST From: "NGLTF" Subject: Maine Governor Signs Gay 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 GOVERNOR SIGNS CIVIL RIGHTS BILL; STATE BECOMES 10TH TO OUTLAW DISCRIMINATION Washington, DC---May 16, 1997----Today Maine officially became the 10th state to ban discrimination against gay men and lesbians. As expected, Governor Angus King signed the bill that passed the state legislature last week. The new law bans discrimination against gays and lesbians in employment, housing, credit and public accommodations. 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). The New Hampshire legislature also passed similar legislation last week and Governor Jeanne Shaheen has promised to sign it. A New England clean-sweep will come for gay rights legislation with the expected whisk of Gov. Shaheen's pen. All six states in the region will then have such laws. "The momentum has started," said Kerry Lobel, Executive Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, (NGLTF). "New England has set an example for the rest of the nation. More states than ever are moving pro-gay legislation forward." Although Governor King has signed the bill, opponents of the legislation threaten to have it repealed. Two conservative groups, the Christian Civic League and Concerned Maine Families have both said that they might bring a voter referendum to have the new law repealed. However, Lobel stated that "the people of Maine know what is right." According to Sue Hyde, a New England based organizer for NGLTF, "Maine voters will become impatient with opponents of the measure. Concerned Maine Families has already had a state-wide referendum on this issue and they lost," she pointed out. In approving the measure, Hyde said "the legislature and Governor have basically done what the people have asked." 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- -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 .