Great Falls Forum: “Marriage in Maine: Gay or Nay”

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Past Event ....... October 15^th, 2009 — 12:00 pm

Thursday, Oct. 15, noon to 1 p.m. in Callahan Hall, the Great Falls Forum lecture series presents “Marriage in Maine: Gay or Nay,” in which Marc Mutty, chairman of the political action committee “Stand for Marriage,” and Shenna Bellows*, representing the “NO on 1/Protect Maine Equality Campaign,” will discuss both sides of the gay marriage issue up for a public vote in November. A Q-&-A session will follow. Free. Attendees are encouraged to bring a brown bag lunch; bottled water will be available. For more information: 513-3050. [*NOTE: Bellows replaces Lew Alessio, who is unable to participate due to illness.]

Further details:
Advocates for both sides of the gay marriage issue will have a chance to share their views at this month’s Great Falls Forum presentation, set for Thursday, Oct. 15, from noon to 1 p.m. in Callahan Hall at the Lewiston Public Library.

Speaking on the topic “Marriage in Maine: Gay or Nay” will be Marc Mutty, chairman of the political action committee “Stand for Marriage,” and Shenna Bellows, representing the “NO on 1/Protect Maine Equality Campaign,”

Marc Mutty has served for many years as the Director of the Office of Public Affairs for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland. In this position, he has functioned as spokesperson as well as registered lobbyist for the diocese, testifying frequently before legislative committees and commissions. He has co-chaired a legislative commission to study poverty among working parents, and has been involved with several other commissions, committees and statewide referendums over the years.

Mutty is a past trustee of Mercy Hospital’s board of directors, member and past president to the Maine Equal Justice Partners, a member of Consumers for Affordable Health Care, vice president of the Maine Council of Churches, and a member of the South Portland/Cape Elizabeth Rotary club. He also serves on a number of boards and committees for other service organizations.

Shenna Bellows is a member of the executive committee of the NO on 1/Protect Maine Equality campaign and has served for the past four years as executive director of the Maine Civil Liberties Union. She returned home to Maine, where she grew up, after spending two years as a National Field Organizer at the ACLU Legislative Office in Washington, D.C.

In Washington, Bellows was a leader in post-9/11 issues, developing a field program around the Patriot Act, as well as working to defeat several constitutional amendments that would have undermined the criminal justice system, freedom of speech, and LGBT rights. She is active in the Maine Freedom to Marry Campaign, the Maine Immigrants Rights Coalition, the Women’s Leadership Action Coalition, and the Maine Choice Coalition.

Lewiston Public Library director Rick Speer says that the library anticipates Thursday’s Great Falls Forum program to attract a large and enthusiastic turnout, and feels “privileged to be able to host such a timely examination of both sides of this important issue which is up for public vote in November.”

The audience will be invited to submit questions to the speakers following their presentation. Admission to the event is free, with attendees invited to bring brown-bag lunches. Bottled water will be available on site.

Attendees may also take advantage of the Forum’s partnership with Guthries cafe and request one of the eatery’s custom-made, gourmet sandwiches or salads to be delivered to the library in advance of the talk. Orders should be placed by calling Guthries at 376-3344. The menu is available at www.myspace.com/guthriesplace.

Partnering with the Library as cosponsors of the Great Falls Forum series are the Lewiston Sun Journal, Bates College, and St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center.

The Lewiston Public Library is located downtown at 200 Lisbon Street at the corner of Pine Street. More information on Thursday’s lecture or other upcoming events in the Great Falls Forum series is available by contacting the Lewiston Public Library at 513-3135.

Posted: Tuesday, October 13th, 2009 in none