November 1992

Commentary
Gene a_nd Susan Sweetser:
Opposites Attract?

Paul Olsen

on election day residents of Essex are issues. During our conversation Susan
faced with the opportunity to re-elect expressed her disappointment with the
Gene Sweetser as their State Repre- tone of the Republican National Conven-
sentative and elect his wife, Susan tion, explained that she would have sup-
Sweetser, as one of the six Senators from ported the G3)’ Rights Bill. and believes
Chittenden County. Historically, Gene that lesbians and gays just want to be
has not served as an ally to the lesbian treated “fairly”. In response to questions
and gay community and the question about domestic partnership legislation
now is whether Susan, a long time ad- Susan indicated that she would have to
vocate for victim’s rights, will be a voice think about her position but that the issue
for lesbians and gay men in Montpelier. Of health benefits Would be Solved when

the state establishes universal access as a
Gene and Susan Sweetser were both del- result of the recommendations of the
egates to the Republican Convention in Vermont Health Care Authority (this po-
Houston where they heard the homo- sition fails to address even the most basic
phobic rhetoric of Pat Robertson and argument f0? detnestie P3Ttne1‘benefitS)-
Dan Quayle. In the last legislative ses- .
sion, Gene Sweetser voted against the Not Surprisingly the Campaign literature
Gay Rights Bill. Prior to the vote I spoke of_ both Gene and Susan Sweetscr con-
with him regarding his position. Dem- tams no reference to their lesbian and gay
onstrating a complete misunderstanding Constiulents. If elected they clearly are
of the law, he explained that he would Conlrnilled to their Crusade for Victim’s
not vote for it as lesbians and gays are al- rights. While appearing more moderate.
ready protected under the constitution. In Susan’s commitment to “faimess” is not
light of her husband’s lack of under- Shared by her husband Gene. Like fellow
standing of even the most basic civil Republican Patrick Buchanen. Gene
rights legislation,Iwas interestedintalk- Sweetser fails to understand that. like
ing with Susan (who is an attorney) 1-e- survivors of crime, lesbians and gay men
garding her position on lesbian and gay can also be victims. V

 

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