Growing up, my dad told me that it takes courage to admit when you're wrong about something or someone. Leading by example, he taught me that when you believe something is right, you speak up and stand your ground. That takes courage, too.
I have to admit, when I first started this job, I had some assumptions about who supports marriage for same-sex couples in our state and who doesn't. I thought it was a safe assumption that someone who voted against the issue in 2009 probably wouldn't be supporting it in 2012.
Well, I was wrong.
Representative Stacey Fitts of Pittsfield, Maine voted against same-sex marriage while serving in the legislature in 2009. Now, in 2012, he's standing up and speaking out about why he supports this issue as a Republican.
I'm inspired by his courage.
The ACLU of Maine is proud of the work we're doing with Republicans United for Marriage. We believe the issue of same-sex marriage is about equal protection under the law, individual freedom and personal liberty. So do the hundreds of Maine Republicans who have joined Republicans United for Marriage.
We couldn't do this important work without the demonstrated leadership of Representative Fitts. His choice to be in a campaign ad we helped to create will help others think about why they should support marriage for loving and committed same-sex couples across our state.
Have you seen the ad? Check it out here. I hope it inspires you, too.
For more information about Republicans United for Marriage, email me at jbarkley@aclumaine.org
