PORTLAND — Several educators in southern Maine called for respectful debate Tuesday over same-sex marriage legislation, saying they want to ensure the safety and acceptance of gay, bisexual and transgender students in public schools across the state.
The educators also encouraged legislators to support the bill, regardless of their personal or religious views, saying that rejection of the legislation might be a "green light" for harassment of and violence against gay students.
According to the 2007 National School Climate Survey, 86 percent of gay students reported being verbally harassed, 44 percent reported being physically harassed and 22 percent reported being physically assaulted at school in the past year because of their sexual orientation.
In addition, gay, bisexual and transgender youths are as much as four times as likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers, according to the Massachusetts 2006 Youth Risk Survey.
"We're not looking to change community views," Kunin said. "It's about having respectful dialogue (and) respecting civil rights for all citizens."
The bill has broad support among Democratic legislators, as well as EqualityMaine and the Maine Psychological Association.
It is opposed by the Maine Family Policy Council, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland and the Maine Grassroots Coalition.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=249631&ac=PHnwsEqualityMaine Maine Marriage Central:
http://equalitymaine.org/marriage-and-families/maine-marriage-central
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