Some churches gathering signatures for people's veto of gay-marriage law
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BY SUSAN M. COVER
Staff Writer Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel 06/28/2009

PALERMO -- Tricia Hisler doesn't think gay and lesbian couples should be allowed to marry in Maine.

She feels so strongly about it, the mother of seven gave up her Saturday to sit at a table outside the Second Baptist Church of Palermo as part of a signature-gathering effort to try to overturn Maine's new gay-marriage law.

"I feel strongly about it because I think marriage is between one man and one woman, it's not two men and two women," she said. "I have relatives who prefer the alternative lifestyle. I can't agree with it."

The church, located just off heavily traveled Route 3, is one of many area congregations taking an active role to collect signatures for a people's veto. Catholic churches across the state are also working to get the 55,087 signatures needed to put the issue before voters in November.

Maine became the fifth state in the country to allow gay marriage when the state Legislature passed, and Gov. John Baldacci signed, the law in May. Immediately, Baptist Pastor Bob Emrich of Plymouth and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland announced they would organize a people's veto effort.

On the other side, Jesse Connolly, who is leading the effort to support the new law, said Saturday that gay activists decided to proceed with a campaign even though the signatures have not been turned in to -- or validated by -- the Secretary of State's Office.

"We're just gearing up for a full campaign," he said. "For us, it's such a short window of time we have to proceed forward."

In January, gay rights activists announced their support for a bill to allow gay couples to marry in Maine. After a nearly 12-hour public hearing attended by more than 3,000 at the Augusta Civic Center in late April, the Legislature moved swiftly to pass the bill.

Baldacci did not announce his position on the measure until after he signed it, saying he had "come to believe that this is a question of fairness and of equal protection under the law."

Palermo Baptist Pastor Chuck Barnes Sr. said he doesn't think legislators should have made the decision to "redefine marriage" without asking the people of the state.

"It was not really fair play," he said.

Those gathering signatures have until early August to turn them in to the state to get the question on the November ballot. If they don't meet that deadline, it could also appear on the June ballot.

The Palermo church uses its big sign along the road to let people know they will have petitions available to sign on Saturdays. Barnes said they will not be there July 4, but will continue their efforts after that.

Hisler, who lives in nearby Sommerville, said people often drive by a few times before they come in to sign the petition. She said a preacher from Belfast stopped by last week and took an armful of petitions back to his home church for people to sign.

"I'm not sure how many we've collected, but I've heard it's getting close," she said.

Connolly said gay-marriage supporters want to remind people that the issue has already been closely scrutinized.

"The Legislature and the governor went through a very thoughtful review of this," he said. "They heard from thousands of constituents. We're hopeful this won't come to an election, but we're prepared if we have to be."

Susan Cover -- 620-7015

scover@centralmaine.com

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