Yes on 8, the Sequel

Despite the economic recession, people who want to take away the rights of LGBT people are still finding jobs.  Case in point, Frank Schubert, who is being primped and primed by the Maine Catholic Church to lead the effort to steal the right to marry away from gays and lesbians in Maine.  Schubert was one of the architects behind the Yes on 8 campaign in California.

But while the Maine Catholic Church might think of Schubert as a spiritual leader sent from on high to defeat same-sex marriage and destroy the rights of gays and lesbians, what Schubert is about to find in Maine is a much more solid organizing presence of LGBT folks and allies.  Another thing to consider: whether Maine voters will like that such an outsider is coming in to tell the state what to do with its politics.  And make no mistake, outsider groups like the National Organization for Marriage and outsiders like Frank Schubert will be leading this campaign in Maine, in tandem with the Catholic Church.

That's in stark contrast to our side, which is using grassroots leadership in Maine to foster support for keeping the civil rights of gays and lesbians in Maine law.  As Americablog noted, here's a release from Maine Freedom to Marry on their organizing situation:

Numerous resources that have been vital to the marriage effort to date will now be coordinated under the auspices of Maine Freedom to Marry. These resources include the field organization and volunteer base developed by EqualityMaine, the legal expertise of Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders, and the legal and public outreach capacity of the Maine Civil Liberties Union. Additionally, Maine Freedom to Marry will now take the lead in local and national fundraising to protect marriage equality at the ballot box in November.

The committee has hired Jesse Connolly to manage the referendum campaign. Connolly is a lifelong Mainer who now lives in South Portland. A respected professional in Maine politics, Connolly served as campaign manager for “Maine Won’t Discriminate” in 2005. In that successful campaign, the people of Maine voted by a wide margin to keep sexual orientation in the state’s non-discrimination policy. He also managed Governor Baldacci’s re-election campaign in 2006. Most recently, Connolly has served as chief of staff to Rep. Hannah Pingree, Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives. Connolly is taking an unpaid leave of absence from the Speaker’s office in order to run this campaign.

Connolly said, “We enter this fight from a place of tremendous strength, with a lot of momentum. Having been on the inside of the legislative process, I can tell you that the campaign to win marriage has thus far been well organized, heartfelt, and extremely professional. We are assembling a first rate staff that includes professionals with deep expertise to keep this groundbreaking effort moving forward. I am proud to pick up this mantle and continue to work with Mainers across the state who have brought us to this historic moment.”

Our professionalism and organization vs. Frank Schubert's and the Catholic Church's hatred is a match we can win.  If you're interested in getting involved in Maine, or keeping up to date, go to http://www.mainelymarriage.org/ and http://www.equalitymaine.org/.  These organizations, among others, will be leading the fight for equality in Maine.  Let's make sure the sequel to Yes on 8 goes down in massive defeat.