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Supporters on both sides of the gay marriage debate in Maine have pledged to conduct civil campaigns in the months leading up to the November election.
"We are pleased that your campaign has finally responded to our long-standing call for both sides of this issue to conduct an honest, civil and respectful campaign. We are pleased you have accepted our challenge," said leaders of the conservative Stand for Marriage Maine.
Last week, Stand for Marriage submitted more than the required signatures to the Secretary of State's office for a chance to toss out the state's same-sex marriage law. The state legislature legalized marriage for gay and lesbian couples in May.
Seeking to take the issue to the ballot where the people, not the politicians, can vote, traditional marriage supporters submitted 100,000 signatures for a people's veto referendum.
Expecting the signatures to be certified, Jesse Connolly, campaign manager for NO on 1/Protect Maine Equality, called his opponents to agree to a fair and respectful campaign.
"Maine has a longstanding tradition of campaigns that do not engage in mudslinging, lies, distortions and the politics of division," Connolly, who has so far collected 60,000 "No on 1" pledges, said in a statement Thursday. "Maine voters expect us to take the high road, avoid poisonous attacks, and make our case based on fact and principle. Today, NO on 1 pledged to abide by that high standard, and we invite our opponents to join us and deliver the kind of campaign that Maine voters want and deserve."
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Connolly faxed his request to Frank Schubert of Shubert Flint Public Affairs, who led the successful Proposition 8 campaign to overturn same-sex marriage in California, as well as Marc Mutty, the public affairs director for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Maine.
In response, Stand for Marriage Maine – of which both Schubert and the Catholic diocese are a part of – applauded Connolly's commitment to "uphold the right of every qualified voter to free and equal participation in the election process."
Marc R. Mutty and Bob Emrich of Stand for Marriage noted that just months ago when the state legislature was approving the same-sex marriage bill, gay marriage supporters including Equality Maine were making "extraordinary efforts ... to prevent Maine voters from having any say on this issue whatsoever."
"This is quite a change of direction," they stated.
While agreeing with the pledge, Stand for Marriage has asked its opponents to further agree to at least one public debate; that no volunteer, contributor or staff member will be harassed due to their participation in the campaign; that no property will be destroyed; and that churches on both sides of the issue will be dealt with respectfully.
