Maine Becomes the First State to Repeal Its Gay-Rights Statute

AUGUSTA, Maine — Voters on Tuesday made Maine the first state to repeal its gay-rights law.

With 595 of 663 precincts, or 90%, reporting, 133,303 voters, or 52%, favored repeal, while 124,015, or 48%, endorsed retaining the law.

“We feel great,” said Paul Volle of the Christian Coalition of Maine, a leader in the repeal effort.

Gov. Angus King said: “I think it’s unfortunate.”

Joe Cooper of Maine Won’t Discriminate conceded defeat for supporters of the law late Tuesday.

Maine lawmakers passed a bill last spring adding sexual orientation to the protected classifications in the state’s human rights act. The measure would have barred discrimination against gays and lesbians in employment, housing, public accommodations and credit.

But a successful people’s veto drive, as provided for in the state constitution, blocked implementation of the new law.

Repeal advocates led by conservative religious groups collected more than 58,000 signatures to put the issue on state ballots.

Heading into Tuesday’s vote, 10 states had gay-rights laws, including the other five in New England.