Lawrence Lockman
Lawrence E. Lockman is an American lumber worker, lobbyist and political activist from Amherst, Maine, who has served as a Republican member of the Maine House of Representatives since 2012. A 2014 article in Bangor Daily News documenting controversial statements he has made over the years on the subjects of rape, HIV, and homosexuality, has drawn attention from political websites such as Daily Kos and Salon.com.[1]
Background
Lockman is a 1967 graduate of Philmont Christian Academy in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania. He studied liberal arts at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia and Pasadena City College in California. Around 1976, he began working at a sawmill in Passadumkeag, Maine.
Tax protesting, anti-abortion, and anti-gay activism
In 1975, Lockman stopped paying federal and state income taxes and founded a group called Maine Patriots which put forth various tax protester arguments and urged other Mainers to follow his example.[2]
In the mid-to-late 1980s, Lockman switched his emphasis to activism about HIV, the AIDS epidemic, and homosexuality. In a letter to the Lewiston Daily Sun, Lockman wrote "Clearly the practice of sodomy is learned behavior, and those addicted to this form of biologically-insane sex are at high risk for all manner of serious medical problems."[3]
In 1986 and 1988, Lockman ran in District 134 of the Maine House of Representatives against the incumbent, Democrat Michael Michaud. He lost both, in 1988 finishing with 639 votes to Michaud's 2,438.
In 1991, Lockman became one of the directors of the Pro Life Education Association, a Maine-based anti abortion organization.[4][2]
In a 1995 op-ed, Lockman warned of a "secret gay affirmative action plan," claiming "You can bet the rent money they will demand that employers set up goals and timetables to achieve 10 percent homosexual representation in the workforce and in government contracts."[5][1]
In 2012, Lockman was elected to the House's District 30, which included portions of Hancock and Washington counties, with 2188 votes to 2082 for Democrat Dennis Mahar. He is a strong supporter of Maine's governor Paul LePage, who is being challenged for re-election in the 2014 race by Lockman's old opponent, Michael Michaud (who in 2013 came out as gay.[6]).
Response to controversy
Lockman has released a statement saying "I have always been passionate about my beliefs, and years ago I said things that I regret. I hold no animosity toward anyone by virtue of their gender or sexual orientation, and today I am focused on ensuring freedom and economic prosperity for all Mainers."[1]
Personal life
In 1990, Lockman was part of a group seeking to break the union at the Passadumkeag Stud Mill where he worked, a drive which was defeated by an 81 to 18 vote. He had worked there for 16 years before leaving in 1992 to work as a Territory Manager in eastern Maine for the National Federation of Independent Business, a position he held until 2010. He now works as a Territory Manager in eastern and central Maine for National Write Your Congressman.
Lockman and his wife Debbie were married in 1974. They have four adult children and five grandchildren.
References
- 1 2 3 McDonough, Katie (27 February 2014). "Republican lawmaker very sorry he said men should be able to rape women if abortion is legal". Salon. Retrieved 17 December 2014.
- 1 2 Tipping, Mike (25 February 2014). "Maine Rep. Lawrence Lockman’s decades-long history of extremism". Retrieved 17 December 2014.
- ↑ Lockman, Lawrence E. "Silliest" in "Sun readers write" Lewiston Daily Sun July 23, 1987; p. 4, col. 3
- ↑ "Pro-life group elects directors". Bangor Daily News. 9 October 1991. Retrieved 17 December 2014.
- ↑ Lockman, Lawrence. "Shifting ground: gay rights and politics of paranois" Lewiston Sun Journal June 10, 1995; p. 4A, col. 5
- ↑ "Yes, I'm gay, Michaud says. Now let's get our state back on track". Portland Press Herald. November 4, 2013.
External links
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