From the Kennebec Morning Sentinel:

Under Gov. Paul LePage’s proposed budget, teachers and other state employees will be required to increase their contributions to the pension system, from 7.65 percent of their salary to 9.65 percent.One public employee currently paying 7.65 percent, however, won’t see an increase.

The governor has exempted himself.

While public employees and teachers face this increase, as well as a raise in the retirement age, a freeze on cost-of-living adjustments for current retirees and a 2 percent cap on future cost of living increases, LePage’s personal contribution rate to the retirement system will remain the same, which means he’ll be paying $21,420 over four years.

Mike Tipping goes on to also explain that after serving as governor, LePage will receive a pension that a teacher would have to work 25 years to earn.  Tipping has more details and background at Maine Politics.

As Gates and I have pointed out elsewhere, the presence of LGBT people isn’t a sufficient condition for wealth creation in and of itself; gay men and lesbians are no more sophisticated, economically productive, innovative, or entrepreneurial than any other group on average. But places that attract gay people and lesbians tend to have the same open-minded attitudes and business styles that foster innovation. A visible LGBT community is the proverbial “canary in the coal mine,” signaling openness to new ideas, new business models, and diverse and different thinking kinds of people—precisely the characteristics of a local ecosystem that can attract cutting-edge entrepreneurs and mobilize new companies.

It’s not a perfect study, but it’s still interesting.

Meanwhile, Freedom to Marry is also conducting a Summer for Marriage tour to counter NOM’s inevitably hateful messages.  Details below the jump.

The other piece of news coming out of Maine on the topic of NOM is that the Maine Ethics Commission continues their investigation into NOM’s donors over their never ending legal challenges.  Fortunately, none of these objections seem to be sticking.

Earlier this month, the anti-gay group, “National Organization for Marriage” (NOM), announced a summer tour across 17 states and the District of Columbia to “protect marriage.” In NOM’s call to action, they declared that “this is an urgent time for marriage,” that “a strong marriage…makes a strong family,” and that “groups of these strong families make strong neighborhoods” and “strong towns, cities, and states.” We at Freedom to Marry couldn’t agree more, and we would like to thank NOM for drawing attention this summer to the love, commitment, and the crucial safety net that marriage brings to families across the country.

Today, Freedom to Marry is announcing that we will join NOM in embracing this summer as a Summer for Marriage. We will do this by spreading the word across the country about the importance of ending exclusion from marriage. As part of Freedom to Marry’s Summer for Marriage, we are working with our supporters, as well as local and state partners, to plan rallies and other events wherever NOM is planning to push discrimination and distort the truth about gay couples and their families. In 17 states and the District of Columbia, we will share our stories and demonstrate how the denial of marriage harms same-sex couples and their families, while helping no one.

Freedom to Marry has always believed that the best way to change hearts and minds is to break the silence, spark conversations, and share personal stories about why marriage matters to same-sex couples and their families. But we also know that we cannot allow the distractions, distortions, and discriminatory agenda of groups like NOM to go unanswered. In advertising their summer tour, NOM referred to supporters of the freedom to marry as the “iconoclasts” who “pillage the values of our Nation”. Nothing could be further from the truth. We will continue to demonstrate that there is nothing more American then embracing the Golden Rule and celebrating love, commitment, and equal protection under the law.

I was struck by two things about this email.  One, a reminder of the generational change.  I can’t imagine a gesture like this being such a small thing when I was in middle school in a nearby town (not THAT long ago).  The second thing I was struck by was the fact that Facebook, something that came into existence when I was either a freshman or sophomore in college, enable news of this effort to permeate the all size towns in all regions.

It’s a worn out cliche to say that the internet is a powerful tool, but it has really done amazing things to connect people with others who care about their issues and have shared experiences.  The fact that a 12 or 13-year-old girl in Maine can take initiative and pass on notice of an International Day Against Homophobia without having to form a student group or get approval from an administration means that students with a sense of justice can more easily organize and lead without barriers or any effort beyond a few clicks.  That is progress, and that is why the generational shift that is moving us closer to full equality is picking up speed.

Last Wednesday, the Portland Press Herald ran an op-ed by Mark Swann, Preble Street’s executive director, and Chris Bicknell, Preble Street’s Teen Center services coordinator, which brings the issue back to its roots.  The reason that Preble Street supported No on 1.

Lost in all the debate over their decision is the reason Preble Street decided to join the Maine Marriage Equality Coalition in the first place.

Here’s why. As many as 40 percent of unaccompanied homeless youth are forced into homelessness because of their sexual orientation. Shame and abuse from families drive LGBT youth into the streets and shelters.

Two weeks ago we learned of a boy in Georgia who gained permission from his school to take a male date to his prom. The news focused on the school’s decision and the support he received from all over the country. Almost incidentally, the article mentioned that because of the media attention he was kicked out of his house.

Because of his sexual orientation, this high school student was no longer welcome in his own home.

In Maine, at Preble Street, we see young men and women in this tragic and terribly sad and lonely situation all the time.

Many young people at the Teen Center have been forced to flee their homes when their parents find their journals or are confronted by their children with emotional struggles around sexual orientation.

Swann and Bicknell go on highlight a few statistics that should make every parent, aunt, uncle, and grandparent stop in their tracks.

• Suicide is the leading cause of death among gay and lesbian youth.
• Fifty percent of gay and lesbian youth report their parents reject them due to their sexual orientation.
• Twenty-six percent of gay and lesbian youth are forced to leave home because of conflicts over their sexual orientation.
• Approximately 28 percent of gay and lesbian youth drop out of high school because of verbal and physical abuse.

Now, I readily admit I’m no theological scholar. But I was always taught that the message behind this timeless tale is simple and straightforward: When you see someone in need, you help him. You don’t check first to see if he shares your race, your politics or, for that matter, your road map to salvation.

You just help him.

All of which brings us, regrettably, to Bishop Richard Malone and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland.

News this week that Catholic Charities Maine, which Malone oversees, and the national Catholic Campaign for Human Development have yanked their funding for Preble Street’s Homeless Voices for Justice program is proof positive that in this day and age, Roman Catholic charity begins – and in this case ends – with a litmus test.

Nemitz also provides a much-needed overview of the details and timeline of the controversy–the column is worth a full read.

In related news, Equality Maine held their annual awards dinner where Anne Underwood, of Catholics for Marriage Equality won a “Faith in Action” award and announced that Donald Sussman of North Haven donated $17,400 to cover the January to June loss.  Said Sussman,

This is about righting a wrong.  The Preble Street organization is an angel to those in need. They don’t discriminate in who they help, and we need to support them in their important work. It’s disappointing that funding was lost for this critical work, but I’m glad to be one of many who have joined together to help make things right.

You can still help out by donating here (note it’s for Homeless Voices for Justice).  $12,000 was raised in the first 3 days.

State Senator Dennis Damon was also honored at the dinner, among many others.  The dinner was reportedly very well attended and a substantial amount of money was raised to support pro-marriage equality officials in future races.

• Senator Bennett’s effort derail the passage of the health reform reconciliation bill in the Senate by attaching an amendment that would have called for a vote on marriage equality in DC was derailed.  This hits on so many important issues–health reform, marriage equality, and the need for DC to be its own state.  Good news for Maine readers–Senators Snowe and Collins both broke from their party and voted against this effort.
• In a Q&A session today Sec. Gates clarified that the Congressional study is on HOW to repeal, not whether to repeal.
• Secretary Gates relaxed the enforcement of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”  The new regulations included raising the level of the personnel involved in different steps in the investigation and barred the use of information from lawyers, doctors, therapists and clergy.

A social service agency’s support for same-sex marriage has cost it local and national funding from the Catholic Church’s anti-poverty program.

Preble Street’s Homeless Voices for Justice program has lost $17,400 this year and will lose $33,000 that it expected for its next fiscal year.

Officials with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland and the Washington-based Catholic Campaign for Human Development say that Preble Street violated its grant agreement by supporting Maine’s “No on 1″ campaign last fall.

Preble Street’s Homeless Voices for Justice is a statewide organization led by the formerly homeless.  Here’s the worst part: not only did they lose future funding, the Catholic Church asked for money already allocated to be returned.

In December, Catholic Charities Maine, which is led by Malone, sent a letter to Preble Street asking it to return $2,400 that the diocese had granted for the Homeless Voices for Justice program.

“We regret the collaboration must end at this time,” wrote Sandra Thompson of Catholic Charities Maine, who coordinated the distribution of the church’s local anti-poverty funds. “Accountability to the Catholic community requires this.”

Why did the organization take a stand for No on 1?  Because they’re a social justice organization and, as Executive Director Mark Swann pointed out, issues of sexual orientation are the single greatest cause of homelessness among youths.

Maybe Bishop Malone can go out and ask the the homeless to pay him back for the support services they received.  Just disgusting.

Help chip in with support for Preble Street here.

ht Debbie

Well, I found myself in a completely unsolicited email exchange with Hein the next morning.  So, I asked the obvious question:

Good morning, Mr. Hein.

I’m writing to inquire whether you, or representatives of the Christian Civic League of Maine, meet with legislators in Augusta or with candidates for statewide or national office.

Thank you in advance for your response.

Best,

Nick

I got the response I expected:

Nick,

Our lobbyists, Tim Russell and, more recently, Mike Heath, have, in the past, met with legislators. Neither are employed by our ministry any longer. I’ve personally never done so, in any capacity.

We’ve never been opposed, however, to having those meetings be public. I could not speak for the legislators, though, and their preferences. We have nothing to hide in that regard.

Since MCCL believes in open meetings, I would assume they would make their meetings as accessible as possible and leave it up to policymakers to turn away the public.  My obvious follow up:

Thank you for your response. Do you post your lobbyist’s meeting schedules anywhere online so that the public can attend?

Best,

Nick

No response after two days (after prompt initial replies). I sent this polite follow up:

Hi Mike,

I wanted to follow up one more time to see if you posted your lobbyist’s meetings anywhere online so the public can attend.

Thank you,

Nick

Still no response.  Interesting choice.

I look forward to invitations to any meetings with candidate-Rev. Emrich and Mike Hein, and Representative Rev. Emrich, should he be elected.