Mike Michaud: Yes, I am gay. ‘But why should it matter?’

[WonderGrunion]

http://bangordailynews.com/2013/11/04/opinion/mike-michaud-yes-i-am-gay-but-why-should-it-matter-2/

When I entered the race for governor, I did so because I love the state of Maine and am tired of seeing it dragged in the wrong direction. There was never any question that it would be a tough race, but I know I have the vision, the experience and the commitment to lead Maine forward.

Once I jumped to an early lead in the polls, I knew it was only a matter of time before individuals and organizations intent on re-creating the uncertainty that led to our current governor’s election three years ago would start their attacks. Already my opponents have tried to blatantly distort my support for a woman’s right to choose and my tireless commitment to our nation’s veterans.

So I wasn’t surprised to learn about the whisper campaigns, insinuations and push-polls some of the people opposed to my candidacy have been using to raise questions about my personal life. They want people to question whether I am gay.

Allow me to save them the trouble with a simple, honest answer: “Yes, I am. But why should it matter?”

If Rep. Michaud wins, he would be Maine's first openly gay governor, but more importantly he would unseat Teabag dumbass Paul LePage.

And Mike, it shouldn't matter.

Mike Michaud for Governor 2014

[chillfactor]

1. no it should NOT matter....

but you know the hompohobiacs will be all over this.....

[eShirl]

2. LePage fans

[Warren DeMontague]

3. Yeah. And so will the rest of the people, who aren't bigots.

Thing is, every day there are fewer of them and more of us.

[WonderGrunion]

4. That's the ironic thing about this

The neanderthals that would be offended by Mike being gay are already firmly in LePage's voting block.

[Victor_c3]

5. It took me 20 or so years to figure that out, but nope it doesn't matter at all

If people who grew up close-minded and homophobic like me are starting to realize it, then I believe that our society is truly changing.

[WonderGrunion]

6. My mom came around recently to LGBT rights

It took a couple of decades to change her mind and she was a civil rights protester back in the 60's.

Prejudices can be hard to undo. Congratulations on undoing yours.

[Victor_c3]

7. Being a parent has opened my eyes a lot

There is no way I could look at my children and tell them that I despise them and can't love them because of their sexual or gender identity.

I watched a great documentary about transgender children years ago. It followed a couple of families around who have children who since they were old enough to express any sort of gender identity thought of themselves as the opposite sex. When a 3 year old tells you that they are the opposite gender, they probably aren't doing it because they want to be cool or different or whatever. That child probably legitimately and fundamentally feels that way. It really opened my eyes and did a lot to change my perspective.

Taking that argument and applying it to sexual orientation is the same thing. When did I decide to be straight? I don't know. Probably the same time a gay person decided to be gay. In other words, we are just born with these things in us. But I'm preaching to the converted here...

Anyways, thanks. I'm just as devoted to making sure it isn't a consideration on a person's character as is the majority of people here.

[kelliekat44]

8. Wish I lived in Maine just so I could vote for him. nt

[patricia92243]

9. That they have a Teabagger for governor says something about the voting public. I hope they will

make the change to a Democratic governor - but I doubt it. What do your local polls say?

[eShirl]

10. Governor Tea Bag got less than 40% of the vote last time

Latest polls have Michaud over LePage, with independent Culter a hefty third

REALLY hoping we avoid a repeat of the 3-way split that gave us Governor Tea Bag the last time

[WonderGrunion]

11. Cutler's strength as a candidate wasn't an issue last election

It was Libby Mitchell's weakness. The surge for Cutler in the polls in the last week was because Democrats were terrified that Mitchell couldn't beat LePage. If the shift happened a week earlier, we would have Gov. Cutler today instead of Gov. LePage.

Mike Michaud would need to make a huge blunder to lose to LePage. He has a powerful election machine behind him already and he doesn't come off as a wallflower in the debates.

[eShirl]

12. If Michaud can get Angus' endorsement, or at least get him to stay neutral this time

then I will feel a lot easier.

[Android3.14]

13. That's great. Now if Cutler would drop out

He probably won't lose many votes in the balance, but there will be a hit.
Michaud and Cutler are probably going to split the progressive vote yet again, and we'll have LePage for another stint. Crap.

[WonderGrunion]

21. People seem to forget how week Libby Mitchell was

Her insistence on a Public Funds campaign meant that LePage was outspending her almost 25 to 1 and she made no effort to get her face out there through more cost effective means.

[Old and In the Way]

14. I did not know.

I do not care. He has my vote. Go Mike!

[cali]

15. An awfully good editiorial from the Bangor Daily News about this

Mike Michaud is gay. Welcome this truth and move on

There’s nothing easy about telling the world you’re gay. Even now, with 50 percent of people nationwide saying they favor allowing gays and lesbians to marry. Even after the legalization of same-sex marriage in Maine. Discrimination, even hate, still exists.

So U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud’s announcement Monday that he is gay is brave. It takes courage to share something so personal.

At the same time, Michaud, who is running for governor, was correct to ask in an OpEd published Monday by the Bangor Daily News, Portland Press Herald and The Associated Press, “Why should it matter?” For him, he wrote, “It’s just a part of who I am, as much as being a third-generation millworker or a lifelong Mainer.”

We urge people to welcome this truth and move on.

Michaud’s announcement should not — and likely won’t — change anything about how the six-term congressman, former state Senate president and 11-term former state lawmaker makes his case to voters about why he should be Maine’s next governor. And it shouldn’t change anything about the case his opponents make about why they should occupy the Blaine House for the next four years.

<snip>

http://bangordailynews.com/2013/11/04/opinion/editorials/mike-michaud-is-gay-welcome-this-truth-and-move-on/?ref=relatedSidebar

[azurnoir]

16. Nope it should not matter

the gender of someones partner means nothing, what they promote and why does however and in the case of Mike Michaud that is quite positive IMO, may he win

[mythology]

17. Hopefully he wins

Yes I'd love for him to beat out LePage, but I think it would also be good to have an openly gay governor of a state.

[eShirl]

18. for now at least, add him to the list of openly gay US Congress people

[KamaAina]

23. I call Jim McGreevey

for a few months, anyway.

[Arkana]

19. Michaud's gay?

Huh. Didn't know that.

Is he going to be the next governor? Paul LePage needs to go like yesterday.

[drynberg]

20. AS A PROUD MAINER, I DON'T EVEN BLINK AT THE MICHAUD SMEAR GONE WRONG

Nope, Mike's my guy, y'know, the best person for the job. I can't wait to see Glue Boy LePage get smaller in the rear view mirror, only a year till election time.

[Prophet 451]

22. It shouldn't matter

It should be a complete non-issue, of only casual interest to people who care about trivialities.

Sadly, we live in a world where it will matter to some people.