Don Mendell, a guidance counselor at Nokomis Regional High School in Newport, Maine, is getting flack for appearing in an ad supporting repeal of the state's same-sex marriage law.
In October, one of Mendell's co-workers, Ann Sullivan, filed a complaint with the Board of Social Worker Licensure, claiming he violated the state code of ethics by expressing his opinion on marriage.
Sullivan's complaint said Mendell was entitled to his own opinion, but "does not have the right as a licensed social worker to make public comments that can endanger or promote discrimination."
The Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) is representing Mendell in the case.
Austin R. Nimocks, senior legal counsel for ADF, said marriage isn't all that is at issue.
"This threat to Don, his family, and his career makes clear that those in favor of redefining marriage want to penalize and silence those who don't agree with them," he said. "Free speech, freedom of conscience and religious liberty are also in danger."
Jennifer Monk, associate general counsel at Advocates for Faith and Freedom, said such attacks are increasing and the only solution is more speech protections.
"Without it, we can't express our viewpoint and talk about our faith and our beliefs in a public square," she said. "The Constitution was written to assure that generations beyond would have the freedom to do that."
