06/05/2007

Wyoming Senator Craig Thomas Dies

Republican Senator Craig Thomas from Wyoming died Monday night after a battle of Leukemia, his family said.

Democratic Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal will choose a replacement from three choices given to him by the Republican state central committee. His record on gay issues is what you might have expected. He voted 'yes' on a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, voted 'no' on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes, and voted 'no' on prohibiting job discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Thomas was 74.

Posted 8:39 AM EST by Andy in News, Republican Party, Wyoming | Permalink

Like it?

Subscribe to FREE Towleroad daily headlines with our RSS feed!

RECENT STORIES:

• Ian McKellen: Please Don't Call Me 'Sir' or 'Dumbledore'

• Suspects Arraigned in Gang Rape of Lesbian in Richmond

• News: Larry Craig, TB, Wicked, White House, Seacrest, Twitter

• Book Tackles Football, Undies, and Moisture Management Systems

• Towleroad Guide to the Tube #408

Comments

1. Another one bites the dust.

   Posted by: MIKE | Jun 5, 2007 10:30:17 AM

   
   

2. Hope you took plenty of cold water, an asbestos jacket and a fan with you down there. Good riddance, and say howdy to Falwell and the rest of your GOP cohorts.

   Posted by: Mary Jane | Jun 5, 2007 10:37:57 AM

   
   

3. Wow, now I understand why so many people hate us. The first two comments are more terrifying to me than the arguments made by the GOP. Regardless of anyone's political agenda, how could you ever wish them dead? Or to hell? I feel sorry for you both.

   Posted by: Wayne | Jun 5, 2007 10:51:13 AM

   
   

4. Wayne,
   I think we all understand your point and there's only one who will decide our fate in the end. But, the first two posts are just mere comments of hate unlike the ACTIONS (not just arguments) of hate from this now dead republican that affected thousands of tax paying citizens who deserve equal rights.
   

   Posted by: Jake | Jun 5, 2007 11:15:26 AM

   
   

5. Jake,

   Those mere thoughts are harmful. Actions made by GOP begin as thoughts. You're right Wayne. Let love rule.

   Posted by: DOUG | Jun 5, 2007 11:22:57 AM

   
   

6. I thought I knew the names of all the senators. I guess not. Never heard of him.

   Posted by: anon (gmail.com) | Jun 5, 2007 11:33:21 AM

   
   

7. Doug/Wayne -
   You're both spineless gay men who won't stand up for yourselves when others push you down. Cowards like you two are one the reasons the gay community is years behind in equality.
   

   Posted by: Pat | Jun 5, 2007 11:34:35 AM

   
   

8. I don't think anyone who shows emotions for the death of someone could ever be called a coward. Is it cowardly to have a heart?

   Let's just keep in mind that even though Sen. Thomas is gone, a new Republican senator will be put in his place. Let's just hope the Democratic governor puts a new guy on the Hill that will be friendly towards us. If not, let's pray he's beatable in 2008.

   Posted by: Ryan | Jun 5, 2007 11:48:45 AM

   
   

9. I rejoice in his death. Next!

   Posted by: JOHN IN MANHATTAN | Jun 5, 2007 11:52:13 AM

   
   

10. Pat, I work for a non-profit agency lobbying the state and national governement for LGBT rights...what have you done for OUR community besides getting on this site and blasting hate towards your own kind? Call me a coward? I'm out in public every day, in front of my legislature working for change. You're sitting in your office or living room anonymously typing negative feedback to other gay people. Get a life Pat...poor thing.

    Posted by: Wayne | Jun 5, 2007 11:52:53 AM

    
    

11. instead of attacking each other as is so often the case with comments here, attack the true enemy - those who aim to restrict our rights by deeming us second-class citizens simply because of who we choose to love. i don't seem to recall this divisiveness in the black community when pushing for their civil rights, so why us? because it's easy to hide what sets us apart. not so with the color of your skin. step out of the closet. step into solidarity. step forward to change.

    Posted by: sean | Jun 5, 2007 12:24:49 PM

    
    

12. 2 outa 3 ain't bad. Thanks Craig for protecting the civil rights of ALL AMERICANS! not just us gay ones...

    I don't agree with the job discrimination vote, but the other two are fine by me!

    What does scare me more is the vitriol of some on this site. As i have said before here and other places: How can you expect to make "change" if you spew such hatred and venom.

    Note: being anti-gay marriage doesn't make you a homophobic bigoted, asshole... like anyone who disagrees with every aspect of the gay agenda is labeled by some here. Some people get a bit testy when others want to change the rules of a 3000 year old tradition largely based on religious faiths that most gays don't practice.

    just some thoughts from the "right"
    

    Posted by: MARK | Jun 5, 2007 2:31:37 PM

    
    

13. Senator Craig was highly popular in his state...usually winning by huge margins, and it was because he actually voted the way his constitates wanted him to on these issues.
    By the standards of some here, then John Edwards is also a hateful bigot, since he is against Gay marriage, in fact, ALL of the Democrats running are against Gay marriage, except Kucinich. Our so called friends in the Democratic Party all voted against the Federal Gay Marriage ban, but then they all also knew it was a free vote, since it wasn't going to pass, because several Republicans were going to vote against also.
    If they are really our *friends*, then let them bring up a national gay marriage bill or national civil unions bill, giving us ALL the same rights and privledges as hetro marrieds. If I were you guys, I wouldn't hold my breath for that to happen.

    Posted by: Joshua | Jun 5, 2007 4:43:01 PM

    
    

14. Senator Craig was highly popular in his state...usually winning by huge margins, and it was because he actually voted the way his constitates wanted him to on these issues.
    By the standards of some here, then John Edwards is also a hateful bigot, since he is against Gay marriage, in fact, ALL of the Democrats running are against Gay marriage, except Kucinich. Our so called friends in the Democratic Party all voted against the Federal Gay Marriage ban, but then they all also knew it was a free vote, since it wasn't going to pass, because several Republicans were going to vote against also.
    If they are really our *friends*, then let them bring up a national gay marriage bill or national civil unions bill, giving us ALL the same rights and privledges as hetro marrieds. If I were you guys, I wouldn't hold my breath for that to happen.

    Posted by: Joshua | Jun 5, 2007 4:44:07 PM

    
    

15. Regardless of what I may think about Sen. Thomas' positions on gay issues, I do wish his friends and family peace during their grief. I hope he will be remembered for more positive steps he's taken.

    It is sad, really, that the Senator did not live to see the social attitudes change, which they invariably will, and be able to benefit himself from society's growing awareness of gay people as productive useful members of society. We don't know that Thomas would have grown, but now he no longer can, and that's worth lamenting.

    Posted by: Timothy | Jun 5, 2007 8:10:15 PM

    
    

16. "Note: being anti-gay marriage doesn't make you a homophobic bigoted, asshole..."

    No, you achieved that on your own.

    Posted by: Timothy | Jun 5, 2007 8:11:42 PM

    
    

17. Mark,

    You are a fucking idiot.

    Senator Craig voted in favor of a Federal Amendment to ban gay marriage, in opposition to adding GLBT people to hate crimes laws and in opposition to prohibiting an employer from discrminating based on sexual orientation hurt GLBT people. In doing so, he helped keep an entire group of American citizens from achieving equality. If that isn't actively harming someone, I don't know what is. It's amazing that you cheer his bashing your own kind. I guess self-hate really knows no bounds, does it?

    And you are wrong when you say a heterosexual man who opposes gay marriage isn't necessarily a homophobic bigot. Any person who opposes allowing GLBT people to enjoy marriage rights is doing so out of homophobia, whether internal homophobia (as in the case of GLBT people who oppose it...hint: YOU) or simple homophobia in the case of heterosexuals who oppose allowing marriage benefits to GLBT people.

    Regarding what you term 'the gay agenda', GLBT people have only one agenda: to be treated equally under the laws of this country as every other American citizen. If you disagree with that 'agenda' then please turn in your Gay Card.

    And finally, I hope you never get laid for the rest of your life.

    Love and kisses,
    peterparker

    Posted by: peterparker | Jun 5, 2007 8:31:34 PM

    
    

18. Oh yeah...good riddance Senator Thomas.

    Posted by: peterparker | Jun 5, 2007 8:33:44 PM

    
    

Post a comment