As president of the Religious Coalition Against Discrimination, I want to express our gratitude that Question 1 resoundingly passed on the Nov. 6 ballot.

The state of Maine will now be able to issue civil marriage licenses to same-sex couples while also protecting the religious freedom of all citizens.

Additional Photos

Election night at a Mainers United for Marriage party in Portland. Several letter writers express their gratitude for the passage of Question 1. Gabe Souza/Staff Photographer

This is a good day for Maine and for the nation.

Legal recognition and protection for committed same-sex couples and their families strengthens all families and builds up community.

We pray that other states will soon follow Maine in supporting the equality and full inclusion of LGBT persons.

We also hope that the federal Defense of Marriage Act will be declared unconstitutional so that all married couples will be allowed to exercise the full rights and responsibilities of that commitment.

People of faith in every tradition, along with their clergy, have studied and prayed, engaged in countless one-on-one conversations, written editorials and letters to editors, preached and participated in educational forums and organized for the freedom to marry for all not in spite of but because of their faith and values.

We are grateful for their many efforts and invite them to join us in our ongoing endeavors to end discrimination in its many forms.

Some supporters, including Catholics for Marriage Equality, have courageously taken risks to affirm the freedom to marry for same-sex couples, and we steadfastly stand by them.

Other people of faith disagree with us.

We also reach out to them so that together we may respect the civil and human rights of all people.

Let us together give thanks for the gift of religious freedom and continue to work and pray for the well-being of all our families, congregations and communities.

Marvin M. Ellison

RCAD president, professor of Christian Ethics at Bangor Theological Seminary

Portland

This is, without a doubt, as proud as I have ever been as a Mainer. Equality in all aspects of life has always been extremely important to me, and for it to finally be recognized by a popular vote is a truly tremendous step forward for all of us.

But legal recognition should not be the end-goal of this movement. Rather than consider our work done, the 53 percent of voters that supported Question 1 need to continue along the same path that we have dedicated ourselves to for the last several years.

With the same love, understanding, and compassion that drove this campaign, we should positively spread the acceptance of equality in all of its forms.

We should focus on growing that 53 percent to 60 percent, 80 percent and beyond, rather than merely accept being the majority.

If we do that, we will continue to be a model for the many states that are still fighting for equality, and we will all be even prouder to call Maine our home.

Peter Hyndman

Cumberland Foreside

The day after this historic election, when the good people of Maine upheld the precious values of equality and dignity of all people, I am remembering Harvey Milk and his courageous stand at a time in our nation when gay people were pushed underground into closets of fear and self-loathing.

Harvey was the first openly gay person elected to a political office in this country.

He encouraged and supported all gay people to “come out” to friends, family, neighbors and let people know that we are no different that anyone else.

The willingness of LGBT people to take the risk to be visible and vulnerable in this way is what has changed the hearts and minds of the good people of Maine and made it possible for all of us to live in a more equal and just world.

I came out the year Harvey Milk was assassinated.

I am remembering you today, Harvey. Thank you … and thanks to all of you have risked to be who you are, openly and with dignity. You inspire me.

Patricia A Burke

Biddeford

It’s time to stop rhetoric and pray for Barack Obama

It was a very bitter pill to swallow for the evangelical community across the nation to wake up Wednesday to the reality that Barack Obama will be our president for four more years.

Other than jump off a bridge or complain about Obama for another term in office, what is left for us to do?

We can act like Christians should and pray for Obama to be God’s instrument as well as to have his heart captured by a revelation of Christ.

I call on all evangelical clergy and laity in Maine to pray for our president and his family with compassion and urgency, and that he will clearly hear from God and be filled with wisdom that comes from above.

It’s time to stop the negative rhetoric and speak blessing over Obama. To do any less is to fail both our civic duty as well as our scriptural admonition to “pray for those in authority …”

We may not agree with his policies, but we must love him and lift him up before God.

The Rev. John D. Wentworth

Pownal

All voting should use city’s instant runoff methods

Wonderful idea in the Nov. 6 editorial: Each state should vote in the Electoral College by congressional district (“Maine’s system would be good Electoral College reform”).

I would add: In this voting, as in all voting, we should emulate the Portland mayoral voting and use instant runoff.

Chalmers Hardenbergh

Yarmouth

From primaries to election, it’s all partisan politics

One side says, “Four more years.”

The other side says, “We can’t afford four more years.”

They are both wrong.

Every four years, we fundamentally don’t have a functioning government in Washington.

It’s partisan politics from the primaries to the elections.

It’s an unthinkable amount of money influencing elections and legislation.

That’s what we can’t afford.

Walt Stephenson

Falmouth

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