The November 3, 2009 vote on Ballot Question 1 has revealed the character of towns across the state of Maine. A “Yes” vote on Ballot Question 1 was a vote to take away the marriage rights of gay and lesbian people in Maine. A “No” vote on Ballot Question 1 was a vote to preserve same-sex marriage equality. The anti-gay measure passed by a thin margin statewide, but that overall vote masks a great deal of variation from town to town. In some places, huge majorities turned out to affirm the equality of gay and lesbian Mainers; in other places, huge majorities cast gay and lesbian people down to a second-class status. Lesbian and gay Americans may wish to consider this information when deciding where in Maine to visit, where in Maine to safely spend their time, where in Maine to spend their tourist dollars.
Below is a map of Franklin County, a rural county in the hilly, forested west of Maine. I’ve gathered election results for the towns within it and color coded them. Blue towns turned out to defend marriage equality for gay and straight Mainers by a margin of more than 60%. Green towns defended marriage equality by a margin of 50-60%. Pink towns voted in favor of discrimination against gay and lesbian people by a margin of 50-60%. Yellow towns voted to shun gay and lesbian Mainers by a margin of more than 60%. And White areas? Well, there are so few people living in those spots that voting precincts were wholly absent there.
The standout gay-friendly community in Franklin County, Maine is that of Sugarloaf: the skiing and outdoor recreation area encompassing the Carrabassett Valley and the next-door town of Coplin, Maine. Although it’s small in population, the Sugarloaf area has got big-hearted people who are more interested in enjoying the world than shutting other people down. Farmington, Maine also was supportive of gay marriage, with the vote bolstered by the liberal arts community of the University of Maine Farmington, a selective four year college. These are destinations that offer enjoyment of the vast Maine outdoors and a welcoming social environment to boot.
The rest of Franklin County, Maine? Er, not so much, no.
