From Idea to Law:

A Retrospective on S-131,
An Act to Prohibit Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation

1985

1986

1987

Governor Madeline Kunin rec- 1988
ognizes liaisons from lesbian and

gay community: Beth Dingrnan and

Terje Anderson.

Members of the Vermont Coalition
of Lesbians and Gay Men commit to
advocating for a comprehensive anti-
discrimination bill.

Coalition subcommittee meets dur-
ing the summer and drafts language
amending existing non-
discrimination clauses of 15 Ver-
mont statutes to include “sexual or-
ientation” as protected class.

Beth Dirtgman steps down as liaison
from lesbian community. Heather
Wishik is chosen new liaison. Terje
Anderson continues as liaison from
men's community.

H-237; lead sponsor K. Micque Glit-
man (D) Burlington and S-278; lead
sponsor Harrey Carter (D) Benning-
ton- an act prohibiting dis-
crirnination on the basis of sexual or-
ientation introduced into Vermont
legislature.

Public hearing held by House Judici-

ary Committee on H-237. Com- 1989
rnittee hearings follow. H-237 voted

favorably out of committee. No floor

debate or vote. Bill re-assigned to

General and Military Affairs after
determination of not enough votes

for passage. No further action taken.

Also introduced: H-239; lead spon-
sor K. Micque Glitrnan (D) Burling-
ton, an act prohibiting discrimination
on the basis of HIV antibody status.
Bill acted on by House Health and
Welfare Committee. Chief advocate
Ben Truman (D) Burlington. Com-
mittee creates separate bill (H-460)
responding to concerns from the in-
surance lobby. Both H-239 and H-
460 voted favorably by Committee
and House.

H-237, H-460 and S-278 included in

list of Governor Kunin’s legislative

priorities: ACLU also includes all

three on its legislative agenda.

ACLU legislative liaison Tim Ma-

zur. 1990

Terje Anderson steps down as liai-
son from men's community. Keith
Goslant chosen new liaison. Heather
Wishik continues as liaison from les-
bian community.

Senate Judiciary Committee takes up
S-278. Another public hearing is
held followed by committee hear-
ings. Judiciary Committee votes out
bill with favorable recommendation.
Senate passes S-278 (prohibit dis-
crimination on basis of sexual or-
ientation) by a 17-12 vote. However,
no action taken by House Judiciary 1991
Committee so bill dies in committee

as session ends.

H-239 (HIV antibody) receives fa-
vorable recommendation from Sen-
ate Judiciary and is passed by Senate.

H-460 receives favorable rec-

ommendation from Senate Finance

Committee and is then sent to Senate

Health and Welfare which also

makes favorable recommendation. 1992
Full Senate passes bill. -

Governor Kunin signs H-239 and
H-460 into law.

Heather Wishnik steps down and
Holly Perdue is chosen as new liai-
son from lesbian community. Keith
Goslant continues as liaison from
men's community.

Lead sponsor Vi Luginbuhl (R) So.
Burlington introduces H-211 (anti-
discrimination bill) into Vermont
legislature. Sally Conrad (D) Chit-
tenden ready as lead sponsor in Sen-
ate. Another public hearing is held
followed by committee hearings. Bill
is voted favorably out of committee
but is defeated on House floor 85-55.
Bill cannot be reconsidered by leg-
islature until next biennium (1991).

Also introduced, H-504, lead sponsor
Ben Truman (D) Burlington, an act
relating to hate crimes. Assigned to
Judiciary Committee but no action
taken.

State Human Rights Commission
formed. Susan Sussman hired as Di-
rector; Jim Morgan appointed Com-
missioner.

Holly Perdue and Keith Goslant con-
tinue as liaisons.

House Judiciary considers H-504.
Chief advocate in committee Robert
Paolini (D) Waterbury. Judiciary
votes bill onto floor with favorable
recommendation. House passes H-
504. Bill assigned to Senate Judici-
ary which holds public hearing.

11

J uly/August 1992

Chief advocate in committee David
Wolk (D) Rutland. Bill voted favor-
ably out of committee and passed by
Senate 26-4.

H-504 (Hate Crimes) signed into law by
Governor Kunin.

H-162 lead sponsor Vi Luginbuhl
(R) So. Burlington and S-131 lead
sponsor David Wolk (D) Rutland, an
act prohibiting discrimination on the
basis of sexual orientation intro-
duced into Vermont legislature. No
action taken in either chamber.

Tim Mazur resigns from ACLU.
Ben Truman hired as new legislative
liaison at ACLU.

Governor Howard Dean includes
passage of H-162/S-131 as priorities
in his State of the State address.

Senate Judiciary takes up S-131.
Chief advocate in committee David
Wolk. Judiciary holds another pub-
lic hearing (4th on this bill), fol-
lowed by committee hearings. Bill
voted favorably out of committee.

3/31/92 Senate passes 2nd reading
20-9. 4/1/92 final Senate passage on
voice vote.

House Judiciary hold committee
hearings and votes favorable rec-
ommendation.

4/10/92 House passes 2nd reading
71-58.

4/13/92 House passes 3rd reading
74-67

4/14/92 Robert Starr (D) N. Troy
moves for reconsideration. Motion
fails 80-67 and bill is sent to Senate
Judiciary to concur with House
amendments.

4/15/92 Senate moves to concur
with House 23-5.

4/23/92 Governor Howard Dean signs S-
131 into law.

7/1/92 S-131 An Act to Prohibit Dis-
crimination on the Basis of Sexual
Orientation takes effect. V