An article received from Don Ballard.

“I retired from Unum in 1995 after 25 years. Following is a copy of a speech I gave in my church in October before I left for Florida
for the winter. Happily, because the Equality in Marriage Act passed so overwhelmingly in Maine, my partner of 40 years and I 
are being married when we get back to Maine.

 Times they are a changing!!  Needless to say I am very proud that I will be able to stand with friends and family that I love and
get married...almost can’t believe it at 71 yrs of age!!

 Sincerely...........Don Ballard”

“It’s Not Easy Being Green!!

My life started in 1942 in Presque Isle, Maine. I was so lucky to be born into a loving family…my brother and I grew up knowing we 
were loved.

We loved school, our friends, our neighbors, and the wonderful life we took for granted.

Things started to change for me around the eighth grade…I started to realize that in some ways I was “different” and that I had to
hide this difference. I realized that I was “green”. Needless to say I was absolutely terrified…I knew I was different but I had no one
to confide this to. Believe me, in Aroostook County in the 50’s I was convinced I was the only one who was “green”!!

Thus began a life of hiding…I hid all thru public school, college and all the years of a successful business career. I had to be one person
during the day and another person at night…believe me…hiding takes a lot out of you physically as well as mentally!! I was successful 
in business, had a committed relationship with my partner Bill…but something was missing.

What was missing was my relationship with God…I thought God hated me!! 

But then I found North Parish Congregation Church in little Sanford, Maine and found in meetings with Carl Gunn that God didn’t hate me..
that he loved me because I was made in his image with strengths and weakness just like all the other people of the world. These meetings 
lead to joining the choir and getting to know all the wonderful people in this congregation!!

At this point I realized I was no longer “green”. I could hold my head high and be proud of who I was and the life I had led. My partner Bill 
and I have been in a committed relationship for almost 40 years. In our minds God has blessed our relationship…however, we certainly 
would love it if we could formalize this legally with family and loved ones standing with us. I am hoping this will be possible after the vote
in November.

I fully realize that this issue perhaps is uncomfortable for some of you or you are not sure and have some questions…please feel free to 
discuss this with me after church over a cup of coffee!! ………..Don”

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