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Loading ...Vt Gov flooded with mail over gay marriage veto threat
03.31.2009 9:20am EDT
(Montpelier, Vermont) Some called him a homophobe. Some accused him of spreading hatred. Some thanked him, or applauded him for showing “backbone” in the face of pressure from gay rights advocates.
In the first two days after he pledged to veto a same-sex marriage bill, Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas’ mailbag and e-mail inbox runneth over, with about 1,500 letters and messages pouring in.Some were critical:
- “(Vetoing the bill) would clearly show the deep feelings of discrimination, bigotry and hate you feel for a group of Vermont people who have already had to wait for equal marriage rights in our state too long,” wrote a Newport man.
-”Being ahead of one’s time is what brought slavery and racial discrimination to an end … please support the Freedom to Marry bill,” wrote a Putney man.
- ” … your choice to veto is a slap in the face and a firm reminder that in your opinion, my partner and I are worth less than others simply because we are of the same gender,” wrote a South Burlington man, saying he refuses to be “a second class citizen in this state.”
Some were supportive:
- “It takes courage,” wrote a woman from Ovando, Mont. “Keep up the fight. Our prayers are with you. You are setting an example for other states.”
- “Our children, grand children will be harmed by this bill,” wrote a Milton woman. “I’ve seen what their teaching can do to a impressionistic teenage (sic) like my nephew, who is very confused. Please, please, please veto this bill.”
- “Your stance is reasonable and not unkind,” wrote a Burlington woman. “It must have been a difficult political decision, but right nonetheless. There are many Vermonters who are with you, but simply don’t how to articulate it. Hold firm!”
The missives, made available in response to an Access to Public Records Act request filed by The Associated Press, show the ardor of both supporters and opponents on the issue and on Douglas’ planned veto of a bill legalizing marriage for gay and lesbian couples.
Democrats in the Legislature say they plan to pass the bill, but the Republican governor said Wednesday he will veto it if they do. His announcement has galvanized forces on both sides of the issue, prompting the flood of mail from around the nation.
The state Senate has approved the measure, and the state House of Representatives is expected to vote on it Friday.
Vermont would become the third state allowing same-sex marriage, after Massachusetts and Connecticut. The California Supreme Court lifted a ban on same-sex marriage there last spring, but voters restored the ban six months later.
“This is an emotional, divisive issue,” Douglas spokeswoman Dennise Casey said.
Before Douglas’ announcement, the letters and e-mails on gay marriage were running about 70 percent against the bill to legalize it, Casey said. Since the announcement, supporters of same-sex marriage have been outnumbering opponents, with 60 percent of the letters and e-mails received speaking in favor it and 40 percent against, she said.
Some supporters pledged to take out their displeasure at the ballot box, threatening to vote against Douglas.
“You have disappointed me,” wrote a Middlesex man. “I will vote against you in the primary if you choose to seek re-election, and I will not vote for you again in any election,” said the man, who said he was from a family now turning from “formerly loyal Republicans into Democrats.”
Hang in there, same-sex marriage opponents told him.
“I know you are under great pressure from all sorts of pro-gay lobbies/groups, but it’s time that people used some backbone and stood against these pressures, no matter what the cost,” wrote a man from Indianapolis.
As gay man married (Black living in the UK)
I am thankfully for the forward thinking open minded Americans fighting this veto.
This issue is about equal rights. With a black pre in power one would have never in the last 15 yr think it at all possible.
I believe in the American people black white yellow….. Let’s not allow the few small minded bigots win this.
Societies needs to go forward, not back.
To End with a thought. Gay black people seems to be more progressive than their straight cousins. All gay people contribute a great deal to society.
Iowa just made same sex marriage legal, will Vermont be next? I hope so (me and my partner are still waiting)!!!
Marriage is –
* Good for the economy
* No longer religious
* Makes people as individuals and couples happy
* Encourages people to get married
* Has the potential to eliminate homophobia and hatred
* promotes and strengthens the family unit
* Universally recognized, civil unions are NOT universally recognized (
Civil unions are not enough and are “separate but equal” and that did not work for blacks 50 years ago – have we learned for the past? perhaps not. For example who does know what a civil union is anyway (the general population does not know what a civil union is? And so that means there not recognized)
I don’t say to my partner “will you civil union me?” – I would rather say “will you marry me?”
Alright for the people supporting gay marriage. If the governor vetoes the bill,he’ll regret that decision. Vermont will be the target of a financial boycott,and in this economy,that is the last thing a tourist dependent state economy needs. And I never liked any kind of maple syrup.Too sickingily sweet. And to the woman in Milton: your nephew is secretly a closet case. Gay people DON’T recruit,teach or indoctrinate young teenagers. The kids are already gay/lesbian.They are afraid of coming out with hateful,close minded, nut bags like you to deal with. Go use the Bible for good instead of hateful purposes,you nasty ole hag. He’ll move away and live a far happier life than living near/around/with someone like you.You old mean battle ax.Otherwise you’ll drive him to suicide.
All: The Iowa Supreme Court has heard arguments for and aganst marriage equality. Expected to rule his year on it. Democrats are firmly in control of the state house and governors chair. Everyone waiting expectantly for a positive ruling. Possibly in June. Yes..in IOWA!!!
My partner and I wrote the Gov individually to speak our minds. I want to thank the person who posted the link to the email form, and to encourage every one of you to email and encourage your family and friends to email! I want him to drown in a sea of happy gay rainbows! (or emails)
Like Wayne, I too have sent a message to the governor (hey, if out of staters can, so can I) and made it clear that he should think carefully on this. History is none to kind to those who uphold ethically and morally questionable positions when it comes to the freedom of any citizen. I offered him a view from Canada in which I made it clear that a)the sky didn’t fall b) people were not marrying their pets c) churches were not being forced to marry anyone they didn’t want and d) that frankly, after the initial hoopla most people, including many religious, simply shrugged once they realized it changed nothing. Life went on as it still does. No muss, no fuss. So hopefully the governor will see the error of his thinking and see the potential good that can come from allowing all citizens the dignity and respect that they, as the PEOPLE, has a right too.
Good luck Vermont and to Cali too.
Writing the gov. is a waste of a first-class stamp. We need 102 votes in the House, period.
This country has the seperation of church and state, supposedly. The argument of religion and morality can’t be brought into it. How can anyone look someone in the face and say “Hey you, yeah you, you don’t deserve the same rights as me” or how can someone look to the four year old and say “Little one your family isn’t a family”. I will never understand why love can be denied or why a nation can be such a disgrace when it comes to human rights. Marriage isn’t just religious, but the rights that come with it are pretty sacred.
my husband and i visit the New England States on average of four time a yr. as do many of our friends and relatives if he vetos it we will be sure to not spend any time or money in Vermont right down to stopping for gas in the state we are NOT in the southers states where bigotry runs rampant(no offense to the forward thinking people there) As any gay couple we are very dilligent about spending our gay money in places and on services that dont discriminate against us.
And for the religious folks Its time we stand up and say to keep their religion where it belongs IN THE CHURC act however you wish behind those doors and in your homes but dont force your religion on us. The catholics have made a mochery of their religion with preaching to the world how wonderful they are and then we find out that they are no better than some pedofile stalking children but it’s to remain hush hush clean up your own back yard before you go poking your catholic nose into mine I will worship how and believe what i want my religion accepts me and santifies my relationships so dont mess with my freedom of religion
Patrick: As a Canadian, a country where we enjoy marriage equality, I have sent an e-mail to your governor as you suggested. None of us enjoy equality until we all enjoy equality. I hope other Canadians will also e-mail the governor.
John: I attended the Right to Marry vigil in White River Junction Sunday. John Campbell, the Senator who spoke so eloquently for us in the Senate, attended and he said 101 votes were needed to over-ride the veto and they were in the 90s as of this weekend. I believe he said 5 more Republicans need to come on board. In NH there were 14 Republicans who voted for our rights, and many Democrats who voted against so it’s not over in VT, but it’s going to be a squeaker. Last I heard, the House was going to vote this Thursday. Legislators are getting inundated with emails from Salt Lake City (surprise!) and other place outside VT – they need to hear from Vermonters and they need to hear from them NOW. It’s time to get your friends and relatives in the Green Mountain State on the phone! If you’re a Vermonter and you email, you’re advised to put ‘constituent’ or your hometown in the subject field or you may get deleted by mistake.
Notice how a lot of these “opposing” opinions are coming in from out of state. LOL! Yah, I guess Montana would be quite effected by Vermont Marriage equality. ROFL!