I have voted NO on Maine's Question One. Here's why:

* This question is fundamentally about equality;
* All tax paying, law abiding citizens should have the full, unadulterated benefits of citizenship;
* All citizens should be able to direct and receive inheritance, decide who visits in the hospital, and how their end of life transacts;
* No citizen should be forced to take on considerable financial expense to obtain legal contracts that, essentially, finesse the benefits and assurances granted to same-gender commitments;
* In the history of our state and our nation "Separate But Equal" has consistently failed to fulfill its original intentions. Consider: School segregation, the Tuskegee Airmen, and women in the military. Better yet, consider Washington County's status in relation to the rest of the State of Maine.

My faith (Religious Society of Friends - Quakers) has been uniting same-sex couples for years. This is because the Jesus we know has taught us by his deeds that all people have their measure of Light and are equal under God.

This I know and this I believe.

I encourage all who have not yet voted to take these considerations into your hearts.

Then join me in voting NO on One.