Talking marriage equality in Maine
February 9, 2009
Thanks to Jeremy Kennedy, one of our regional field organizers, for this update from Maine:
Last night in Portland, over 100 people showed up to hear about the campaign for marriage equality in Maine. The excitement in the room was palpable as Betsy Smith, the executive director or Equality Maine stood up and talked about why this was the year to win marriage. This was the culmination of a weeklong tour of the state where we updated the people of Maine about the marriage bill and tand talked about the strategy for winning the fight in the legislature and also by referendum. In attendance at the meeting were 4 members of the Maine House of Representatives, One of the elected officials stood up and told the crowd that they were committed to talking with their fellow legislators to ensure that marriage equality will a reality for LGBT people in Maine. At the end of the meeting I went around the room to collect the volunteer sign-up sheets and, to my delight, everyone in the room filled out a sheet indicating that they wanted to get involved either through hosting a house meeting for their family and friends, or by collecting postcards at community events! Almost 100 new volunteers! It is this excitement and community involvement that is the cornerstone of the campaign here in Maine as we hit the ground on Valentine’s Day next weekend at kick off community events across the state.
