Hampden removed decades-old language from its laws that outlawed the display of materials depicting homosexuality.
Hampden Town Council voted 4-2 at a meeting Monday to remove the word “homosexuality” from the Regulations of Display of Materials Harmful to Minors ordinance.
The 28-year-old ordinance was passed when Maine relinquished management of adult entertainment zoning to local governments. It limits how and where “sexual conduct” can be displayed throughout the town, including “acts of sodomy, masturbation, homosexuality, sexual intercourse.”
It may never have been enforced, and the public may not have been aware of it, but changing the language is a sign that town leaders are taking steps to get rid of outdated laws that limit what is deemed improper.
Municipalities across Maine occasionally find dated ordinances still in effect and contend with how to change them. In 2019, Bangor removed similar language from an ordinance that included homosexuality in a ban of obscene material. At the time, city officials weren’t sure how old the language was, but it dated back to at least 1976.
It’s satisfying to have the outdated language removed, Town Councilor James Bailey told the Bangor Daily News Tuesday. He discovered the language while looking for an unrelated ordinance.
The vote followed a public hearing where no one offered comment. Bailey was the only councilor to offer comment.
“I didn’t think it was something that would be or should be controversial,” Bailey said. “I looked at it as more of a housekeeping vote than a very substantive vote.”
The council didn’t repeal the whole ordinance because it makes sense to regulate such displays, Bailey said.
