WASHINGTON - November 4 - Voters in Maine yesterday approved a referendum repealing the marriage equality legislation passed by the state legislature in May.  People For the American Way President Michael B. Keegan issued the following statement:

“The results on Question One are deeply disappointing to all people who care about equal rights for all Americans.  Because of yesterday’s vote, some Maine families will still be relegated to second class citizenship, and that hurts everyone.  In short, the right wing was successful in its campaign to change the subject away from marriage and towards distortions and scare tactics about what’s being taught in elementary school classrooms.

“But this is only the beginning.  Regardless of how yesterday’s vote turned out, the campaign for marriage equality started an important conversation in Maine that will continue in the months and years ahead.  More people than ever are aware of the harm caused by prohibiting some couples from obtaining the protections of marriage.  The question is when, not if, Maine will ultimately endorse marriage equality for all people.”