Proposal Would Cut Sexual Orientation From Maine's Human Rights Act

An anti-gay activist is getting ready to circulate petitions in Maine in support of an initiative to remove references to sexual orientation from the state's Human Rights Act.

The Secretary of State's Office says the language in Michael Heath's petitions is finalized and the state is waiting for him to pick them up. He'll have 18 months to get about 61,000 signatures and force a statewide referendum.

Health's proposal strikes language from the Human Rights Act that is more than 10 years old and survived a 2005 referendum.

EqualityMaine swiftly condemned Heath's proposal. The group says it seeks to undo years of work by state leaders and equal rights advocates to protect all Mainers from discrimination regardless of sexual orientation.

Heath couldn't immediately be reached to comment Wednesday.