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06/02/2009
Audio: The incendiary fuel behind Maine's 'People's Veto'
Yesterday we showed you how the Rev. Bob Emrich (a leader in overturning marriage equality in Maine) supports the "ex-gay" idea, and how Mike Heath (another key player in the anti-equality fight) was using the Tiller murder to further condemn gays and liberals (i.e. "sinners"). Now as we continue our series of letting Mainers know what, exactly, they will be signing up for if they choose to lend their names to the state's petition to repeal marriage equality, we want to let you listen to some of the chats that Maine's head 'mo foe, the aforementioned Heath, has held with various anti-gay leaders over the years. What follows are just a few examples of the mindset that is propelling the state's so-called "People's Veto."
First up: With professional "ex-gay" activist Regina Griggs, Mr. Heath helps pass off the idea that because a "gay gene" hasn't been concretely pinpointed, then homosexuality is a "choice":
(3/07)
*Audio source: MFPC
Next up: With Brian Camenker, head of the SPLC-certified hate group MassResistance, Mike lets you in on how he views our "innately destructive" marriages, which he presents as running counter to "morally-minded, decent, God-honoring people":
(6/07)
*Audio source: MFPC
Lastly: With Scott Lively, the thoroughly eyebrow-raising co-author of The Pink Swastika: Homosexuals and the Nazi Party and head of the SPLC-certified hate group Abiding Truth Ministries, a discussion on how "homosexuality deserves discrimination" and "must be discriminated against if we are going to have a healthy society" (Scott's exact words):
(2/07)
*Audio source: MFPC
So now we say to Mainers: PLEASE DON'T BE DUPED! The attempt to roll back marriage rights are not about "sanctity" or "protecting" anything. You only need to scratch the surface to see that it's key players have no intent on stopping at this one civil matter: THEY WANT A ROLLBACK OF GAY LIVES IN GENERAL! You should find it scary, because it genuinely is! And if you don't it scary, then at least have the fortitude to admit your bias rather than hide it behind the various masks typically worn by the "protect marriage" crowd!
Oh, and local media: You have a responsibility to get this word out. Please don't disappoint.
***
*SEE ALSO: There are so, so many more nuggets of audible hostility. Complete archive of these Mike Heath interviews can be found here.
**SEE ALSO, ALSO: A brief roundup of some of the more egregious comments that Mike Heath has made about LGBT people over the years: Heath's bar: Examining the verbal diarrhea of Maine's head anti-gay [G-A-Y]
Your thoughts
I lived in Maine up until about 2 years ago, and let me just say, Michael Heath and his tired rhetoric were the butt of so many jokes. Mainers weren't fooled by him in 2005 when he tried defeat the anti-discrimination referendum that the legislature put into law, and they won't be fooled by him this time, either. Michael Heath is a sad, scared man, and voters will never mistake his fear for courage. I have faith that Maine citizens, if it comes down to it, will vote in favor of fairness, equality, and love.
Posted by: Jaime | Jun 2, 2009 12:55:09 PM
What's interesting, Jaime, is that the Family Research Council, Focus on the Family, and other groups are actually trying to convert Mike and his group into a more "mainstream" outfit. That's precisely why they changed the name from Christian Civic League of Maine to the Maine Family Policy Council: It's clearly a way to distance the current effort from the past missteps.
There is SO MUCH on this guy. I sincerely hope the right does continue to position him as the figurehead. We will win.
Posted by: G-A-Y | Jun 2, 2009 1:06:54 PM
Will there be groups revealing all the anti-gay names on the petitions as they are doing for the Referendum 71 in Washington state? Laws may be different, but if it is legal. I would put a few bucks behind this.
Posted by: LOrion | Jun 2, 2009 1:31:18 PM
wow - he starts his intro to the scary Scott Lively by quoting a Bible verse calling for gays to be put to death. Someone should ask him directly if he wants that verse to be implemented.
Posted by: Peter | Jul 10, 2009 5:43:00 PM
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