LG MS 001 Referendum 6 Collection Finding Aid

Authors

Siobain C. Monahan

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-2000

Keywords

Referendum 6, Maine State Elections 2000, Anti-Discrimination Law, Sexual Orientation, Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation, Discrimination, No on 6, Yes on 6, Maine Coalition for Equal Rights, Maine Council of Churches, MLGPA, Press Coverage

Abstract

Description:

The Collection was assembled by the staff of USM's Special Collections to document the November 2000 State election referendum against discrimination based on sexual orientation. The issue was Question 6 on the ballot and read: “Do you favor ratifying the action of the 119th Legislature whereby it passed an act extending to all citizens regardless of their sexual orientation the same basic rights to protection against discrimination now guaranteed to citizens on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodation and credit and where the act expressly states that nothing in the act confers legislative approval of, or special rights to, any person or group of persons?” The act was overturned (50.38% voted to overturn versus 49.62% to sustain). The Collection includes articles from the Bangor Daily News, Casco Bay Weekly, Portland Press Herald, and Sun Journal; information from the websites of groups opposing the act (advocating “No on 6”); flyers, brochures, a poster, and material from the websites of groups advocating for the act to be upheld via the referendum, including Yes on 6, Maine Coalition for Equal Rights, Maine Council of Churches, MLGPA (detailed chronology of efforts to pass gay-rights bill), and Mid Coast for Human Rights; and other background information about the referendum and surrounding debate.

Date Range:

2000

Size of Collection:

2.25 ft.

Comments

Provenance:

The Referendum 6 Collection is an artificial collection assembled by the Special Collections staff.

Ownership and Literary Rights:

The Referendum 6 Collection is the physical property of the University of Southern Maine Libraries. Literary rights, including copyright, belong to the creator or her legal heirs and assigns.

For further information, consult the Head of Special Collections, susie.bock@maine.edu

Recommended Citation

Referendum 6 Collection, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Collection, Jean Byers Sampson Center for Diversity in Maine, University of Southern Maine Libraries.