In 1969, Gerety led a campaign against a bill in the state legislature to legalize abortions in all circumstances. That same year, he called on Maine food retailers to stop selling California grapes, in support of the farm workers' dispute with growers. He was one of 14 bishops in New England to sign a statement in 1973 endorsing a boycott of California-grown lettuce in a similar dispute. He also defended the rights of conscientious objectors during the Vietnam War and appealed to the Maine congressional delegation to modify the Selective Service Act.