Issue Position: Equality and Civil Rights

Issue Position

We have a moral obligation to treat all people with dignity, fairness and respect, regardless of race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.

I was proud to support the 2012 marriage referendum that afforded all loving, committed couples in Maine the freedom to marry, and even prouder when Maine became the first state in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage by popular vote. For more than a decade, I have fought to protect LGBT Americans from violence and discrimination while defending their right to serve their country proudly and openly in the armed services. And I've worked hard to ensure that critical violence prevention services for women are adequately funded.

Despite our successes, we still have work to do to ensure and protect equality and justice for all Maine people, including women, immigrants, Native Americans, and the poor. That's why I support equal pay for woman, open access to the ballot for Maine residents, civil rights teams in Maine schools, and the work of the Native American Truth and Reconciliation Council. Because the ongoing fight for civil rights isn't just about fighting for equality today, it's also about attempting to address the wrongs of the past while ensuring a better future for all Mainers.

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