Last weekend was incredible! Almost 40 ACLU members, friends and family members marched behind our blue banner in the Southern Maine Pride Parade. Wearing brightly colored t-shirts, we stood out to the crowd who gathered to watch the festivities. Many people cheered and yelled "Thank you, ACLU" as we passed by. It was a great day.
At the festival, I got to engage with several folks about all of the work that the ACLU does around Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights. Our involvement nationally and here in Maine reaches far beyond marriage equality. We work on bullying in schools, discrimination, workplace issues, parenting and prison reform for LGBT folks. I felt proud to represent us all day long as I talked to people who stopped by our booth.
I've been thinking a lot about how to involve members and friends of the ACLU of Maine in other parts of the campaign. Yesterday, as I worked from the Mainer's United for Marriage campaign office in Portland, I kept overhearing phone conversations volunteers were having with voters. Many of the voters being called were conflicted about marriage. The volunteers were patient - they listened more than they spoke and reflected some of their own personal beliefs and experiences with the individual on the other end of the line. It was remarkable to witness snapshots of these conversations and realize that we are changing people's hearts and minds.
The campaign is about half way to our goal for one-on-one conversations with conflicted voters. We are making phone calls and knocking on doors all over the state. I'd like the ACLU members, friends and family members to join us in these efforts. We can wear our new pride t-shirts and show up to volunteer. I'm putting together some specific dates and times that you can show up around the state, ready to help. Want to know more about how to be an ACLU volunteer? E-mail me at jbarkley@aclumaine.org
