Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

There are a few things happening today on the gay-marriage front, with campaign finance reports due at midnight, a new TV ad, a new appeal to pastors, a debate set for later this month, and a briefing memo.

Here's a quick run down:

Gay-marriage supporters released a new TV ad Thursday that features a straight couple from Fort Fairfield talking about why they think their lesbian daughter should be able to get married.

Opponents are asking pastors to watch this video by Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, which gives them action steps to take before the Nov. 6 election. He asks pastors to recruit a leader, take extra collections and help get out the vote.

The GLBT Law Caucus at the University of Maine Law School will host a debate at 7 p.m. Oct. 18 at Talbot Hall. Mary Bonauto of Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders will face off against Carroll Conley of the Christian Civic League. It's free and open to the public.

So far, this is one of only three debates scheduled on the issue. TV stations WGME and WABI have also scheduled debates for later this month and MPBN will do a MaineWatch segment, according to the campaigns.

And, this afternoon, Mainers United issued a lengthy briefing memo as a pre-emptive strike against what they think will be themes highlighted in anti-gay-marriage ads that will begin airing on Monday.

The memo tries to dispute arguments advanced by opponents that children do best in families headed by a mother and a father; heterosexual marriage has existed for thousands of years and contributed to the public good; and that businesses will be faced with lawsuits for not providing services to gay and lesbian couples.

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Open Season targets all of Maine's political wildlife, from Portland city government to the donkeys, elephants and independents stalking the Statehouse and U.S. Capitol.

John Richardson joined the Press Herald in 1990 after working as a reporter in New Jersey. He has covered a variety of beats, including marine issues, the environment and health care. He is now covering politics and focusing on Maine's U.S. Senate race.
John can be reached at 791-6324 or jrichardson@pressherald.com
On Twitter: @jrichmaine

Colin Woodard has covered politics and elections for more than two decades, from Bosnia and Bucharest to Washington, D.C., Augusta, and Portland City Hall. He has written for a wide range of national and international publications and is the author of four books, including "American Nations," a history of North America's regional cultures. He joined the Portland Press Herald at the end of April and covers political finance and lobbying, among other things.
Colin can be reached at 791-6317 or cwoodard@pressherald.com

Susan Cover has covered Maine politics for 10 years and worked in Kansas, Ohio and Rhode Island as a reporter. This year, she is focusing on covering the same-sex marriage debate for MaineToday Media.
Susan can be reached at 621-5643 or scover@mainetoday.com

Michael Shepherd joined MaineToday Media in May 2012 after graduating from the University of Maine in Orono, where he edited The Maine Campus, the student newspaper there. Until November he'll be writing the Truth Test, a recurring feature analyzing political statements and advertising.
Michael can be reached at 621-5632 or mshepherd@mainetoday.com

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