EqualityMaine

EqualityMaine (formerly the Maine Lesbian/Gay Political Alliance) is a political advocacy organization in Maine, United States. Founded in 1984[1] after the murder of Charlie Howard,[2] it is the oldest and largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) organization in the state. In 2008, they were a primary opponent of an attempt to revoke an anti-discrimination law in Maine.[3] In 2009, EqualityMaine was one of the main supporters of a push to recognize same-sex marriage in Maine.[4][5]

EqualityMaine's executive director is Betsy Smith[6] and the organization claims an annual budget of about half a million dollars a year.[7]

On June 30, 2011, EqualityMaine and Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) announced plans to place a voter initiative in support of same-sex marriage on the state's November 2012 ballot.[8]

External links

References

  1. ^ Harlow, Doug (27 October 2010). "Gay-marriage mailers put to rest in House District 85 race". The Morning Sentinel. http://www.onlinesentinel.com/news/skowhegangay-marriage-mailers-put-to-rest-in-race_2010-10-27.html. Retrieved 10 April 2011. 
  2. ^ Love, Barbara J. (2006). Feminists who changed America, 1963-1975. University of Illinois Press. p. 109. ISBN 9780252031892. http://books.google.com/books?id=kpNarH7t9CkC&pg=PA109. Retrieved 10 April 2011. 
  3. ^ "Maine group drops push to repeal gay rights law". USA Today. 19 June 2008. http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-06-19-maine_N.htm. Retrieved 10 April 2011. 
  4. ^ Gay rights group honors sponsor of marriage bill March 28, 2010; Portland Press Herald
  5. ^ Nichols, John (7 May 2009). "The Nation: The Year Of Same-Sex Marriage!". NPR. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103888604. Retrieved 10 April 2011. 
  6. ^ Fulton, Deirdre (17 December 2008). "Gay marriage debate comes to Maine: Civil Rights". Portland Phoenix. http://portland.thephoenix.com/news/73933-gay-marriage-debate-comes-to-maine/. Retrieved 10 April 2011. 
  7. ^ "Staff". EqualityMaine. http://www.equalitymaine.org/staff. Retrieved 10 April 2011. 
  8. ^ Wall Street Journal: "Gay marriage supporters plan referendum in Maine," June 30, 2011, accessed June 30, 2011