Bangor firmly opposes repeal

Voters defeated an effort to repeal the state's new gay rights law Tuesday with supporters of the law declaring victory shortly after 11 p.m. to a cheering crowd of more than 500 people at the Holiday Inn By the Bay.

"I think Maine people have heard our message that discrimination happens and real people get hurt," said Ted O'Meara, the senior adviser to the Maine Won't Discriminate campaign, as he reflected after midnight when unofficial totals showed 55 percent rejecting the repeal and 45 percent in favor, with 86 percent of precincts reporting.

"Our campaign was one of compassion. Theirs was one of condemnation," he said.

But despite the numbers, the law's opponents were not yet ready to throw in the towel with several precincts in their stronghold of Aroostook County yet to report.

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Even with the bad news from Texas, the news from Maine should provide us with a ray of hope.

Thank you to all the good people of Maine!