• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Towleroad Gay News

Gay Blog Towleroad: More than gay news | gay men

  • Travel
  • Sports
  • Law/Justice
  • Celebrities
  • Film/TV/Stream
  • Republicans
  • Madonna
  • Books
  • Men
  • Trans Rights
  • Tech/Science
  • Royals
  • Monkeypox
  • Trump critic Liz Cheney falls in U.S. primary, Murkowski survives
  • 13 Reasons Why star Tommy Dorfman gets engaged to a woman.
  • Jonathan Van Ness blasts US government’s response to monkeypox outbreak

Howard Dean Urges Vermont Lawmakers to Pass Marriage Equality

Andy Towle March 31, 2009

With a Vermont House vote approaching and Governor Jim Douglas' veto threat looming, Howard Dean took to the stage at a Vermont Democratic Party reception in Burlington Vermont and urged lawmakers to support same-sex marriage in the state, the Burlington Free Press reports.

Dean
Said Dean: "Vote your conscience, not your district. Stand up for doing the right thing; for being a human being. Put human rights above politics — because if you don't, you'll regret it for the rest of your political career.

The paper adds: "Conservatives, he said, should note that the first American soldier to 'take a bullet' at the onset of the current war in Iraq was a gay man."

Letters have been pouring in to the Vermont statehouse, and legislators are reading them, according to WCAX: "The House Judiciary
Committee adjourned its afternoon hearing early to allow lawmakers to
read some of the communication. The committee's chair said much of it
appears to be from out-of-state, part of an orchestrated campaign to
sway legislation here.
'I'm most
interested in Vermont communications from Vermont residents, Vermont
families, who are telling their stories about why this is an important
piece of legislation or telling their story about what their concerns
are about this legislation. I am most interested in the Vermont
stories,' said Rep. Bill Lippert, D-Vt. House Judiciary Committee
Chairman.
The House Judiciary Committee
expects to vote on the bill Tuesday afternoon. It is likely to pass,
and a full vote on the House floor is expected later this week."

Lorber
Openly gay Vermont Representative Jason Lorber told the Victory Fund he is cautiously optimistic about passing same-sex marriage despite Douglas' veto threat.

Said Lorber: “We need to just stay focused on getting this bill passed. We’re certainly disappointed with the governor, but
we need to do the right thing. Anytime you try to override a governor
it’s a big [challenge] – but I believe we can do it…We’re going to pass it resoundingly, but whether we have the
veto-proof margin is a different question. Now that the
governor has inserted himself into the legislative process, he has
politicized this question even more than it has been. Now, when members
are voting they have to take into calculation the veto — whereas before
it would have been a much more pure vote of ‘this is how I feel about
it.’ … That’s disappointing that we couldn’t have that vote initially, just on the merits of the bill."

Topics: News, Politics More Posts About: Democratic Party, gay marriage, Howard Dean, News, Vermont

Related Posts
  • Former Roommate Indicted For Murder Of Florida LGBTQ Activist Jorge Diaz-Johnston, One of the Public Faces In State Fight For Marriage Equality
  • Russia Blocks Facebook, Accusing it of Restricting Access to Russian Media;
  • Survivor Benefits Payments For Same-Sex Partners Are Being Paid Under Biden, But Many Don’t Even Know They Qualify
  • 13 Reasons Why star Tommy Dorfman gets engaged to a woman.

    13 Reasons Why star Tommy Dorfman gets engaged to a woman.

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Tommy Dorfman reveals she is engaged to a woman. The ’13 Reasons Why’ actress – who came out as transgender in July 2021 and divorced from ex-husband Peter Zurkuhlen earlier this …Read More »
  • Jonathan Van Ness blasts US government’s response to monkeypox outbreak

    Jonathan Van Ness blasts US government’s response to monkeypox outbreak

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Jonathan Van Ness thinks the US government’s response to the monkeypox outbreak has been “fuelled by homophobia”. The 35-year-old TV star has blasted the government’s “botched response” to the health crisis …Read More »
  • Melissa Etheridge announces solo off-Broadway show

    Melissa Etheridge announces solo off-Broadway show

    Published by New York Daily News NEW YORK — Melissa Etheridge plans to be “the only one” to rock off-Broadway this fall. The Grammy and Academy Award-winning singer-songwriter announced that she will take center stage for …Read More »
  • Fun With The Familia! Madonna Lets Loose In Italy To Celebrate Her & Son Rocco’s Birthdays

    Fun With The Familia! Madonna Lets Loose In Italy To Celebrate Her & Son Rocco’s Birthdays

    Published by OK Magazine mega Twice as nice: Madonna took a trip to Italy to not only celebrate her own birthday, but her son Rocco Ritchie‘s too! The superstar, who turned 64, posted photos and videos …Read More »
Previous Post: « Trump Presents Gayest Celebrity Apprentice Ever
Next Post: Lesbian Refused Access to Dying Partner Meets Heart Recipient »

Primary Sidebar

Adjacent News

  • Biden signs $430 billion climate, healthcare and tax bill

    Biden signs $430 billion climate, healthcare and tax bill

  • Judge schedules Thursday hearing on motion to unseal Trump search warrant materials

    Judge schedules Thursday hearing on motion to unseal Trump search warrant materials

  • Dr. Oz Loses $5 Million Of GOP Campaign Funding In Pennsylvania As His Poll Numbers Continue To Plummet

    Dr. Oz Loses $5 Million Of GOP Campaign Funding In Pennsylvania As His Poll Numbers Continue To Plummet

Good Trash: Going to Read It Somewhere, Y’know

  • Ellen Has Not Contacted Ex-Lover Anne Heche Following Fiery Crash Into LA Home

    Ellen Has Not Contacted Ex-Lover Anne Heche Following Fiery Crash Into LA Home

  • Pete Davidson Proposed to Kim Kardashian Before Their Breakup

    Pete Davidson Proposed to Kim Kardashian Before Their Breakup

  • New bombshell book on Trump reveals he wanted to be treated like Hitler: ‘Totally loyal’

    New bombshell book on Trump reveals he wanted to be treated like Hitler: ‘Totally loyal’

RSS Partner Links

  • Wrestle Wednesday
  • Song of the Day: 'Heaven Must Have Sent You' by Bonnie Pointer
  • Page 1 Roundup (08/17)
  • WATCH: Murray Bartlett and Jimmy Fallon share some special Olivia Newton-John memories on “Tonight Show”
  • Morning Wood
  • Biden Signs Inflation Reduction Act — Hands Signing Pen To Manchin
  • Encyclopedia Madonnica Update — Pre-Order!

Most Recent

  • Trump critic Liz Cheney falls in U.S. primary, Murkowski survives

    Trump critic Liz Cheney falls in U.S. primary, Murkowski survives

  • 13 Reasons Why star Tommy Dorfman gets engaged to a woman.

    13 Reasons Why star Tommy Dorfman gets engaged to a woman.

  • Jonathan Van Ness blasts US government’s response to monkeypox outbreak

    Jonathan Van Ness blasts US government’s response to monkeypox outbreak

  • Melissa Etheridge announces solo off-Broadway show

    Melissa Etheridge announces solo off-Broadway show

  • Fun With The Familia! Madonna Lets Loose In Italy To Celebrate Her & Son Rocco’s Birthdays

    Fun With The Familia! Madonna Lets Loose In Italy To Celebrate Her & Son Rocco’s Birthdays

  • Viola Davis joins ‘Hunger Games’ prequel in ‘cruel,’ ‘fearsome’ role

    Viola Davis joins ‘Hunger Games’ prequel in ‘cruel,’ ‘fearsome’ role

  • NFL World Reacts To The Carl Nassib Signing News

    NFL World Reacts To The Carl Nassib Signing News

  • Haunted, self-possessed or just spirited: 2022’s Emmy-nominated songs

    Haunted, self-possessed or just spirited: 2022’s Emmy-nominated songs

Most Commented

Social

Twitter @tlrd | Facebook | Instagram @tlrd

Footer

Copyright © 2022 · Log in

×