Confessions of a Statehouse Testifier

Peter Cooper

My ancient American Heritage Dic-
tionary defines the word testify as “to
bear witness” and “to make a statement
of truth” which are pretty solemn in-
structions when you appear at a gay
rights hearing under the Golden Dome in
Montpelier.

I had my first opportunity “to make a
statement of truth” on a chilly March
evening close to five years ago.

I was terrified.

You see, as a supporter of gay rights, my
fear did not stem from “coming out” in a
public hearing, but from something I had
found on my car windshield the Sunday
before. It was a tract, a real Bible tract
and, among other dire warnings, it said
that friends of homosexuals would burn
in the pit of Hell. That, in itself, was not
the threat. It was the attitude underneath
it. My over-active imagination went to
work as I stood around the Statehouse
waiting for the hearing to begin. I im-
agined truckloads of mean funda-
mentalists following me home, running
me off the road, and.... Mentally, I
squelched that scenario real fast.

The hearing was to take place in the in-
famous Room 11, but it proved too small
for the burgeoning crowd. We were
moved to the well of the House, the
Grand Hall of Vermont legislation.

As the crowd grew, I found myself eying
each new arrival, wondering if they were
a “friendly” or a “fundy.” All our leaders
were there greeting us and having us find
seats together as a show of unity. The
House Committee looked completely
aghast at this crowd. I don’t think they
figured it would stir up so much interest.
I noticed a difference in the two sides.
The opponents looked, for the most part,
very sour. The men would fold their arms
around their chests and glower. Our side

laughed and hugged and talked together
and generally seemed more lively. In
subsequent years, the busloads of folks
they brought in began imitating us. One
or two even smiled. They also plastered
themselves with badges extolling the vir-
tues of family. Of course, we immedi-
ately put these ontoo, because we are,
after all, family.

When they called my name (you had to
sign up first), I felt like I was going into
one of Jackie G1eason’s “Humma, Hum-
ma, Humma” routines. But I managed to
lurch to the chair in front of the still gog-
gle-eyed legislators. My, but you are on
center stage in that position! Every light,
every eye is focussed on you. Even the
TV camera stares glassily at you. I think
my testimony went by sounding some-
thing like HAAAAHHHHAAAAHHH!
Luckily, I had made copies to give to the
committee.

But something wonderful happened
when I finished. I felt great. I guess
that’s what they mean by being em-
powered.

Now I had the bug. Other issues came up
which demanded testimony: abortion
rights, ERA, parental notification, so I
became a regular testifier. I wondered if
I was getting hooked on the little chair
with the TV camera trained on it. But it
didn’t matter for it was all for the good.
Over the past few years, certain scenes
stand out for me as we gathered in sup-
port of gay rights.

- The courage of gays and lesbians who
came out, some for the first time, as
they testified in the full glare of the
TV and politicians.

- The gay man who stood up while tes-
tifying. Everybody else always sat
down. He made the evening that
night.

- A gay man and his mother embracing

December 1991

under the frowns of the so-called fain-
ily loving fundamentalists.

- Large male fundies with chin beards,
leaning over the balcony, glaring and
taking pictures with their camcorders.

- A lesbian quietly recounting her ex-
perience of walking hand in hand with
her lover and a man in a car trying to
run them down.

- A gay man testifying with a bag on his
head to signify the tremendous risk
gays and lesbians take when they
come out to fight for their rights.

During the 1992 legislative session our
gay rights bill will be coming up again.
It’s been introduced in both Hous-
es.which means at least one committee
will be calling for an open hearing. Al-
though many will testify, the most im-
portant thing is to show up. A demonstra-
tion of strength, of our willingness to
fight for our rights is critical to passage
of the Bill.

The greatest feeling is to witness the sol-
idarity of lesbians and gays with each
other, and with non-gays. The sense of
unity and friendship and witnessing is the
strongest atmosphere this veteran testifier
has ever experienced. So, when the call
goes out and it’s hearing time at the Ver-
mont Legislature, I’ll be heading to
Montpelier.

How about you? V

 

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