Mike Heath Weighs ‘Equal Rights Not Special Rights’ Referendum in Maine

Archive of Evil: (left to right) AFTAH President Peter LaBarbera, Mike Heath and Albert Urias stand across the street from the bizarre Chicago sadomasochism “museum” (Leather Archives) in 2015–after calling attention to its vile contents, which included a book eroticizing violent, incestuous adult-child S&M. The perversion “museum” at 6418 N.  Greenview Ave., in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood–is located within blocks of three schools. See AFTAH story HERE and our flier alerting local residents HERE.

Folks, I bring you this piece by my friend Mike Heath–which testifies to the utter collapse of the pro-family movement dedicated to resisting homosexualism. Mike is the only man in America to have led not one but two successful statewide repeals of homosexualist legislation (“sexual orientation” laws), in Maine in 1998 and 2001. Mike (and other pro-family heroes like Paul Madore and Paul Volle) understood that that those very types of laws were being used across the United States–indeed, the world–to suppress the freedom to act upon one’s religious and moral beliefs. By the way, that was happening well before “same-sex marriage” became a major issue.

Despite their two David-vs.-Goliath victories, a few years ago Mike and his gutsy truth-telling team were cast aside by the powers that be of the Christian Civic League of Maine–which today adopts a more “nuanced” tone. (Translation: the League is a shell of its former self in terms of aggressively defending biblical sexual values.) Yes, CCL, like so many others in the pro-family and conservative movements, has “moved on” by  largely giving up the hard fight of directly taking on the Sin Movement that calls itself “Gay.”

At the same time, and not coincidentally, the League is more subservient to the Maine Republican Party. Perhaps a name-change is in order: the Republican Civic League of Maine?

I know, it’s depressing: sellouts and unilateral surrenders are always rationalized, even by Bible-professing Christians. But I will never accept that the side defending God’s Truth should be less bold, less determined and–most importantly–less principled than the side fighting a fanatical cultural “war” against God and godly morality; against Nature; and against the innocence and moral rectitude of children.

Regardless, Mike is now getting back into the game in Maine, and I for one believe the state will be better off for it. Whether or not his proposed referendum takes off, those who are decidedly on the side of Truth in this values “war” ought to support Mike Heath and help him in any way they can (including volunteering). Send gifts to: Equal Rights Not Special Rights, 5 Sylvan Way, Chelsea, ME 04330, you can reach Mike at 207-956-0819; email: mike@mikeheath.net; website: HERE.–Peter LaBarbera, AFTAH

Mike writes:

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Popular Uprising or Legislative Action?

In a few posts last year I chronicled my extremely slow progress on a referendum idea. You can read those posts by clicking on the Referendum category in this blog.

With the Legislature back in session for the next few months I’ve decided to consult with leaders regarding the referendum idea. I started that process in earnest this week. Here’s the situation in Maine:

• Transgendering and all forms of sexual activity outside of marriage (sexual orientation) are grounds for legal action against Maine citizens who choose to associate with groups and individuals who don’t make their sexual sin a public issue.
• Civil marriage hasn’t existed in Maine since 2012. It was replaced by a highly individualistic “institution” designed to destroy multi-generation families (homosexuality-based “marriage”). Marriage is simple: one man, one woman, one lifetime.
• Maine’s Attorney General propagandizes youth with taxpayer money through “Civil Rights Teams” that are forced by law to equate morality with immorality in the minds of our young people.
• No strategy for either resistance or victory exists in Maine. The only potential action I’ve heard about is the possibility of some limited political developments sometime this year.
• The political and cultural Left has effectively stopped strategizing/resistance at the state level in both the Republican and Democrat parties. Even the outspoken tea party Governor was forced to bow to their insanity.

What should be done?

Here are the possibilities:

• I obtain the petition from the Secretary of State and launch the referendum to repeal “gay” rights over the next two years.
• A politician steps up to sponsor the proposed repeal, campaigns on it this year (all legislators in Maine stand for election this year) and leads the fight in 2017 in the form of legislation (when elected).
• Some sort of protective measures are enacted that don’t involve the full repeal of “gay” rights.
• I take the really slow road and allow the repeal idea to be introduced as a bill next year in a “by request” status. This means that no politician is willing to put his full support behind the idea. At a minimum this will lead to a public hearing followed by a floor debate if one vote can be found on the Judiciary Committee to vote it out. My guess is that the idea would certainly die at that point short of a mob forming outside the State House tar and feathers in hand.

One of the fascinating aspects of this fight in Maine is the role that public disclosure plays. It is safe to be on the political Left. It is risky at best to be publicly aligned with traditional views on sexual morality. While it is still possible to hide one’s involvement behind some corporate “shield” it is becoming increasingly expensive, risky and difficult. The best conservative lawyers in America just lost a case on public disclosure of donations that emerged after the destruction of civil marriage in 2012.

There is NO HOPE for victory on this issue unless people and organizations with common sense put their name on the line. While I believe strongly in the right of anonymous political speech this development is probably best.

God honors courage.

Regardless of what everyone decides I am going to continue the fight in whatever way I can. I will never surrender to the idea that all forms of consensual sexual activity outside of marriage are moral. Passionate grandfatherly zeal for the future of my progeny won’t permit it.

If you believe we must continue the fight please send a check to Equal Rights Not Special Rights, 5 Sylvan Way, Chelsea, ME 04330. Online donation functionality for credit/debit card donations is anticipated shortly.

Mike Heath is the founder and director of Helping Hands Ministries, based in Augusa, Maine. He is the former executive director of the Christian Civic League of Maine, and the representative for AFTAH in the state. His wife Paulie is a Christian singer who is available to speak on biblical issues and perform at Christian and pro-family events.