Out in the Mountains

Vote 92

Continued from Page 1

This article will focus on some of the ma-
jor candidates and local races that are of
significance to our community. The com-
ments do not necessarily reflect a can-
didate’s view on other issues that might
be of interest to an individual voter; i.e.
being supportive of antidiscrimination
legislation does not automatically mean
they are also pro-choice, concerned with
the environment, have a strong position
on disability rights, health care, etc. Also,
the identification of a candidate as being
an advocate or friend of the lesbian gay
and bisexual community is not a state-
ment or reflection of their sexual orienta-
tron.

Please note this article was being written
prior to the September 8th primary. If
you would like additional information
please contact Keith Goslant at (802)
454-8552.

Party Platforms:

Democratic Party: Both the state and na-
tional platforms include strong civil rights
language: “We don’t have an American to
waste...(we) will continue to lead the fight
to ensure that no Americans suffer dis-
crimination or deprivation of rights on the
basis of race, gender, language, national
origin, religion, age, disability, sexual or-
ientation, or other characteristics irrelevant
to ability...(we will) provide civil rights
protection for gay men and lesbians and an
end to defense Department dis-
crimination.” A key speaker at the Dem-
ocratic Convention was Robert Hattoy, a
gay man living with AIDS.

Republican Party: The state platform was
not available at the time this article was
being written. However, the platform
drafted two years ago by the state Re-
publican Party included language iden-
tifying the family and christian values as
the foundation of our society. The Na-
tional Republican Convention this year
included keynote speakers who specif-
ically targeted homosexuality as being
perverse and not an acceptable lifestyle
alternative. The convention also included
language opposing domestic parmership,
gay marriages and antidiscrimination leg-
islation. “No Queers” buttons were seen
on the floor of the convention.

Liberty Union: Previous surveys of Lib-
erty Union candidates have shown strong
support for antidiscrimination legislation
and protecting the rights of all citizens.

It should be noted that while a party plat-

form may not indicate strong support for ‘

the lesbian, gay and bisexual community,
individual candidates opinions may vary.
If you are unsure of a candidates’ posi-
tion, please ask them.

Governor:

Howard Dean (Democrat) advocated and
signed antidiscrimination legislation (S-
131) into law. He spoke out against the
terrorist tactics used towards supporters of
the bill. His office had been looking into
language for an executive order prior to
passage of the bill and supported a move
by state employees to include sexual or-
ientation in state employment contracts.

John McClaughry (Republican) has op-
posed antidiscrimination legislation as
being unnecessary and special interest re-
lated. As a senator he moved to have sex-
ual orientation removed as a protected

class from the Hate Crimes bill. He re-
sponded to a letter from the state chapter
of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Veterans
by stating that through our advocacy and
visibility we created our own dis-
crimination and supplied the motivation
for hate crimes.

Richard Gottleib (Liberty Union) on pre-
vious surveys has indicated support for
the civil rights of gay, lesbian, and bi-
sexual people.

Lieutenant Governor:

David Wolk (Democrat) was the lead
sponsor of the antidiscrimination bill, He
was a strong supporter and reporter of the
Hate Crimes bill. His opposition is using
his support of the bills to try and discredit
him as a candidate. He included passage
of the antidiscrimination bill as an ac-
complishment in his announcement and
campaign literature.

Barbara Snelling (Republican) made no
public comment supporting the anti-
discrimination legislation while it was be-
ing debated, saying such comment would
be “inappropriate.” Following the passage
and signing, she did comment that it (pas-
sage of the bill) was the right thing to do.

Secretary of State:

Don Hooper (Democrat) has been a
strong supporter of antidiscrimination
legislation since it was originally intro-
duced in 1987.

Ruth Stokes (Republican) initially op-
posed antidiscrimination legislation. Sup-
ported the bill this year only after the
House Judiciary Committee accepted her
amendment stating that the bill does not
extend employee benefits to same sex
couples.

watching with Keith Goslant,
supporters

bill, into law.

To get there I need your help.

Vermonters.

Governor Howard Dean signed S.131,

string" campaign against a well-funded opponent.
you can make will go a long way towards getting my message out to
But most of all I ask for you vote.
there with Senator Howdy Russell, and with your help I will.

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LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR '92

one of the proudest moments of my career as a state senator, was
Holly Perdue and dozens of other
(not to mention the hundreds there in spirit),
the "Gay and Lesbian Rights"

This year I am running to be your next Lieutenant Governor.

I want to be the one presiding over the Senate as we move from
mere tolerance of different lifestyles, to respect of individuals
regardless of their sexual orientation.

Mine is a "shoe-leather and shoe-
Any contribution

Sen. Dave Wolk

as

I want to be

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