School counselor targeted for supporting Maine’s pro-marriage Question 1

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Comments: 18

Don Mendell appearing in the TV ad in favor of Question 1

Portland, Maine, Nov 3, 2009 / 02:52 am (CNA).-
A high school counselor is the subject of an ethics complaint to the Maine licensing board because of his appearance in a TV ad in favor of Maine’s Question 1, which would secure the definition of marriage as being between a man and a woman. His defenders say the complaint is an attempt to silence supporters of marriage.

Donald Mendell, a licensed counselor at Nokomis Regional High School, is the subject of a complaint accusing him of violating the state’s code of ethics for social workers because of his expressed position on marriage.

Mendell appeared in a “Vote Yes on 1” ad that would repeal a recent law that recognized same-sex “marriages.” The vote on Question 1 will take place on November 3.

According to a press release from the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF), which is representing Mendell, the ad he participated in was a response to a “Vote No on One” ad that featured a Nokomis teacher encouraging a “no” vote from a classroom at the high school itself.

The complaint claimed that Mendell made public comments that “can endanger or promote discrimination.” It also noted that Mendell’s description of a fellow teacher as a “gay activist” violated the ethical code’s provision against “unwarranted negative criticism” of colleagues in communications.

The complaint also charged that Mendell has a “long history of being unsupportive of GLBTQ issues” and was “very vocal” in opposition to a homosexual student group. It cited a student who thought Mendell’s participation in the ad showed him to be “racist against gays,” and claimed another student thought the counselor’s actions would make students who believe they are homosexual feel Mendell is less accepting of them.

ADF Senior Legal Counsel Austin R. Nimocks criticized the complaint, saying:

“No one should have their livelihood placed in jeopardy because they believe marriage is the union of a man and a woman. This threat to Don, his family, and his career makes clear that those in favor of redefining marriage also want to penalize and silence those who don’t agree with them. So, the definition of marriage is not the only thing at issue here. Free speech, freedom of conscience, and religious liberty are also in danger.”

Mendell has 30 days to respond to the complaint.

Comments: 18

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Jimi Drama
Texas 01/13/2010 03:47 PM EST

The best thing about homosexuals is they are physically unable to reproduce. The job we have as decent and moral citizens is to stop their only means of reproduction, which is indoctrination through our education systems, our government, including the courts and our institutions, such as marriage.

Published by: psalm
Detroit/MI/USA 11/20/2009 03:50 PM EST

"Haterosexuals doing what they do best: HATE. " What I have noticed is homosexual activists doing what they do best...throwing around the word "hate" to include anyone who doesn't agree with their lifestyle. Give it a rest already. There are plenty of people who disagree with the homosexual agenda who do so without an ounce of "hate". Seriously, pulling the predictable "hate" card is getting old. Why don't your own rules apply to Christian values? Maybe people should start losing their jobs for voicing their opposition to Christian values and the true definition of marriage? Maybe then you will see the absurdity in all of this.

Published by: no problemo
mid maine usa 11/19/2009 09:36 PM EST

Don Narey-do your research. A complaint was filed, by Ann Sullivan, a lesbian social worker in grades k-4, whose principal (boss) is the husband of sherry gould, who made the no on one ad. she does not work with mendel and we cant figure out how she would know what goes on at his school...well, yes we can...a conspiracy of those in the "gay club" at nokomis..the adults who push this agenda on kids....

Published by: D.Lavina
Bangor, ME 11/04/2009 11:07 AM EST

"I cannot understand why a news agency calling itself "Catholic" isn't concerned with spreading lies. There is no evidence Mr. Mendell is being investigated by anyone. Neither the licensing board, his school or Medell himself have confirmed this "story." Readers have every right to expect the truth: try telling it." Mr. Narey, you might want to make sure you know what you are talking about before you humiliate yourself again by accusing others of "lying."

Published by: Francis
Wareham Ma 11/04/2009 10:20 AM EST

The good people of Maine have upheld traditional marriage!! Deo Gratias!! This is a huge victory for Divine law, natural law, and common sense! The sodomites, and their elitist, leftist liberal allies in the media, the courts, in Academia, in Congress and in the State Legislatures will continue to try to shove this unnatural perversion upon society. We must continue to defeat these Godless perverts on all fronts; Our Lady of Mount Carmel pray for us!! "But from the beginning of the creation, God made them MALE and FEMALE. For this cause a MAN shall leave his FATHER and MOTHER; and shall cleave to his WIFE. And they two shall be in one flesh. Therefore now they are not two, but one flesh. What therefore GOD hath joined together, let not man put asunder". (Mark 10: 6-9) Douay Rheims Bible "Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind: because it is an abomination". (Leviticus 18:22) Douay Rheims Bible

Published by: Keegan
Portland 11/04/2009 03:00 AM EST

Haterosexuals doing what they do best: HATE. Gay couples have a right to marriage. You haterosexual-only marriage supporters are wrong.

Published by: Jake
MI 11/04/2009 01:55 AM EST

"“No one should have their livelihood placed in jeopardy because they believe marriage is the union of a man and a woman." This goes beyond simple beliefs. You're limiting the rights of others. You deserve to have your "livelihood placed in jeopardy" if you're going to try and remove the rights of other people.

Published by: Bonnie
Tampa, FL 11/03/2009 11:01 PM EST

As a fellow school counselor who is so often forced to swallow the very immoral ideologies that create and intensify the problems that children face, I say Hooray for you, Mr. Mendell!

Published by: Baruch
Vermont 11/03/2009 09:47 PM EST

As someone who has been a licensed counselor for decades, I am in agreement that Mr. Mendell has violated his professional ethics. His personal religious views are his business, but it is unprofessional for him to seek to impose them on others. His public stance has made him an unsafe person for LGBT kids in the school where he works. Those kids deserve to have a counselor in their school who is respectful, and who will not seek to impose his personal religious beliefs on them.

Published by: Chris B
Jefferson City, MO 11/03/2009 05:20 PM EST

Rate: Very Good

"Hate Speech"? Please. The First Amendment applies to all of us. Thanks for reminding us that whether you wave a swastika or a rainbow flag, a Fascist is a Fascist.

Published by: happy heathen
sacramento, CA 11/03/2009 02:02 PM EST

Rate: Good

The laws are changing, albeit slowly, and they will continue to change, just as the anti-miscegenation laws eventually did (despite the best efforts of many "good" Christians). The day will come when US citizens look back on this struggle as they do now on the "mixed-marriage" issue, and wonder how the country could have been so bigoted and why it took so long to correct.

Published by: Walter
Hoover/AL/U.S. 11/03/2009 01:11 PM EST

Good job Mr. Mendell. I'm pretty sure just mentioning the fact that homosexuals have a mother and father is quite disturbing and "racist" to them as well. It's pretty obvious as to who is of God and who is not of God here. The gay activists are now making a serious miscaculation of not only God and His Word, but also real Christians as well.

Published by: Joseph
Michigan 11/03/2009 12:55 PM EST

Rate: Regular

I don't know if you people are aware but a teacher is a different job than a counselor. A counselor should respect all students. By making anti-gay slurs, he goes out of his way to make students feel unwelcomed. He should be ashamed of his actions and will now pay the price. Vote NO on 1.

Published by: Ron Giles
Valrico, Fl 11/03/2009 09:21 AM EST

It looks as though the ethics committee has no ethics at all. The only one who seems to be couragous is Mr Mendell. Couragous because he practices and supports what he believes in. You have two types of people who disagree. Those who have strong moral and Christian beliefs and quietly and maturely express those views. Then you have those who may have some of the above, neither of the above, lack tolerance, act without maturity and reasoning and lambast those who feel contrary to what they believe. So there never will be a compromise and there shouldn't be. The only compromise available is to respect each others opinions, truly tolerate each other and let the law decide the outcome. And if the law favors one over the other then learn to live with it without compromising your beliefs.

Published by: Don Narey
Boston/MA/USA 11/03/2009 08:24 AM EST

I cannot understand why a news agency calling itself "Catholic" isn't concerned with spreading lies. There is no evidence Mr. Mendell is being investigated by anyone. Neither the licensing board, his school or Medell himself have confirmed this "story." Readers have every right to expect the truth: try telling it.

Published by: Francis
Wareham MA 11/03/2009 06:42 AM EST

The secular leftwing liberals are a small minority in their backward and upside down thinking, and in their rejection of natural laws and Divine laws. Yet they are well funded, control most of academia, the media, and the courts. For a bunch of people who preach "tolerance", the liberals are in my opinion the most bigoted, close minded, fascists there are in this country!! If someone like this teacher doesn't agree with the liberals perverted and unnatural definition of marriage, then they will slime, sleeze, smear, and do everything in their power to destroy that person. As Catholics we must pray for their conversion. As Americans we must stand up to these leftist liberal fascists and defeat them.

Published by: John
San Antonio, TX 11/03/2009 06:02 AM EST

These sick individuals have taken a page from the administrations play book in Washington DC: "those in favor of redefining marriage also want to penalize and silence those who don’t agree with them".

Published by: William James, PhD
Sacramento/ CA/USA 11/03/2009 04:42 AM EST

Hate speech directed against persons is wrong. Disapproval can go so far as hatred, but if the object is a behavior and not a person, then the disapproval should not be labeled "hate speech." As long as disapproval does not involve malice against persons, it should not be criminalized. Thus, Donald Mendell should be free to disapprove of same-sex marriage, which is a behavior, as strongly as he may. Loving the sinner, while hating the sin is what puts the "unconditional" in unconditional love.

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