I

remember as you do the divisive
experience of four years ago and I
don t want to relive that. We ve got
so many other issues on our agenda
— health care reform, improving the
economy, and addressing a lot of
other issues facing our state. I don t
see the need to revisit that in any
context.

OITM: When faced with the
opportunity to make an appoint-
ment to the Vermont Supreme
Court you referred to the Baker v.
Vermont decision as judicial
activism. Is judicial activism a
decision that you dont agree
with?

Douglas: Your assessment is right.
It is in the eye of the beholder at
the time but I know a lot of attor-
neys believe that it is a stretch to
look at the [Vermont] constitution
and read that into the [Common
Benefits] clause that they cited. But
there s no question that the law of
is §tats:i§..=Whatev¢ra.maJ0rirty.°f
e .upr‘eme"Court say it is at any
point. They made a decision that
we all must now respect. I didnt
ask about any specific cases with
candidates for the (Supreme Court)
appointment, I didn t think that was
appropriate.

OITM: Last year when we met
you said you needed to huddle
with your team before deciding
whether you would issue a procla-
mation recognizing Gay Pride Day.
What did your team say?

Douglas: I don t know if we had
that huddle frankly (laughs). We
haven t talked about it.

_ OITM: Would you issue the
proclamation if asked?

Douglas: Id have to huddle with
my team (laughs). We get so many
requests every week for difierent
proclamations I don t know if we
ever got around to discussing it.

OITM: If a request were made
this year would you issue a procla-
mation?

Douglas: I guess we (1 have to

assess itas we do with others. I
don t honor every request for a
proclamation that comes in but
we d certainly consider it.

OITM: Will you attend Gay Pride
Day in July if you are invited?

Douglas: I don t know. I get so

many invitations I d have to see if
it fit the schedule and make a deci-
sion at the time. I just don t know.

OITM: I don t mean any disre-
spect, but does I dont know
mean you don t want to think about
it or you don't want to answer the
question?

Douglas: It is obviously not with-
out controversy in terms of making
that decision so I d have to think
about it.

OITM: » Gender identity is not cur-
rently included in Vermont s
nondiscrimination statutes. What is
your view on H.366, a bill amend-
ing state law to prohibit discrimina-
tion on the basis of gender
identity?

Douglas: I didnt know that there
was a bill in. It hasn t been promi-
nently discussed by committees so

. I,_,do‘r_1,_t knov\g.~,I._cl’ha'\‘ge_ to‘ think

about it.

OITM: As Governor, through an
Executive Order, you could prohib-
it discrimination on the basis of
gender identity in state employ-
ment. Would you consider doing
that?

 Douglas: I am happy to consider it.

We have a union contract with state
employees and I m not sure how
[an Executive Order] relates to
that. We 11 talk to Personnel.

OITM: You ve expressed your
opposition to the legalization of
marijuana for medical purposes
(H.111). Why?

Douglas: The federal government
has not approved it for medicinal
purposes. The FDA has made it
very clear that not only does it
reserve the’ right to prosecute peo-
ple who use it but also government
officials who sanction it. That got
my attention! It is awkward when
the federal government has a view
that is quite clear on its use and for
states to do something different.
There is a process fpr the FDA to
approve medications and it has
approved a form of THC that is
available for medicinal purposes
and could, if it felt appropriate,
approve marijuana but it has cho-
sen not to do so. My predecessor,
who is a physician, felt very
strongly about it. I m not persuad-

ed that we want to do something in
contravention of the federal law.

OITM: I think many people felt
that Governor Dean s position on
medical marijuana was wrong. The
concern with THC pills is that if
you are suffering from nausea you
are unable to take pills, so smoking
marijuana is a better delivery
device for many people living with
HIV/AIDS and other illnesses.

Douglas: The FDA must under-
stand that when it makes’ its deci-
sions. I assume they must have
heard all the arguments about
medicinal marijuana and decided
against it. I accept the notion that it
provides reliefto people. The ques-
tion the FDA and other drug agen-
cies pose is, is it the only way to
do it?

OITM: In November you ll face a
challenge from pro-gay Burlington
Mayor Peter Clavelle (D). What
parts of yourvrecord as Governor -
would lead GLBT Vermonters to
support your reelection?

Douglas: 1 think Vermonters of all
identities and persuasions want the-
same things that most Vermonters
do. That is the chance to be suc-
cessful, improve the quality of their
lives, have a decentjob, and be
able to afford a home, education
and retirement. I think many
Vermonters share my goals in
terms of the initiatives I have
offered. There s a lot in my record
of accomplishment that I ll offer to
the voters at the end of two years
that will be impressive.

OITM: As Governor, what other
message do you have for gay and
lesbian Vennonters?

Douglas: Vermont is historically
and traditionally a place of inclu-
sion and nondiscrimination. That s
a long legacy of which I m proud
and which I know all Vermonters
are. It is one that I plan to
continue. V

Paul Olsen also writes for In
Newsweekly and lives in
Colchester. '

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