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Political notes from Free Press staff writers Terri Hallenbeck, Sam Hemingway and Nancy Remsen


2.07.2007

 

Cold shoulder

The temperature was in the teens, the wind speed at a number higher than that when a group of legislators and gay/lesbian activists gathered in front of Montpelier City Hall this afternoon to put out the call for gay marriage legislation.

Sen. John Campbell, D-Windsor, following directions of the event's organizers, shed his overcoat in the interests of looking more professional. Given how cold I was with a coat, hat and gloves on, I can only imagine he and the others who dressed likewise have still not thawed hours later.

Patricularly for Campbell, who is the lead sponsor of the gay marriage legislation in the Senate, returning to the Statehouse might not have made him any warmer. Though Campbell is Senate majority leader, it doesn't sound like he's going to have a lot of say in seeing his legislation reach the floor.

Senate President Pro Tempore Peter Shumlin said it's not happening. Too much else going on to let such an emotionally draining issue take over the session.

It's a cold shoulder Campbell will feel down to his toes.

- Terri Hallenbeck

Comments:
Campbell will always get the cold shoulder from Schumlin - as will alot of people!!

Schumlin just wants to be Governor.
 
I don't understand the point of this legislation. Legally speaking, don't civil union partners have the same rights as married couples (on the state level, obviously the Federal Gov doesn't recognize civil unions)? If I'm wrong, please tell me how.
 
As the anti-gay people used to say:

If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's a duck.

If it's the same thing as marriage, why call it something different?

Why have a whole other system just because the name is different?
 
Um... what exactly is wrong with wearing an overcoat at an outdoor event in the middle of a Vermont winter??? Unless Campbell's coat looked like he pulled it out of a dumpster, I don't see the problem. Presumably, if he'd taken the trouble to put on a suit, his outerwear was appropriate to the occasion. The event's organizers need to focus on things more important than giving their key supporters a case of pneumonia.
 
The second commenter is right in that, legally, civil unions and marriage are the same, that's why it passed muster with the Baker decision. However, I think we can all agree that marriage is about as emotional and personal as anything in our society. The rationale for a change to marriage from civil unions seems to me to be routed in the idea that separate is inherently unequal. Civil unioned couples are placed in a second class of committed relationships which is simply not right.
 
I realize this is not the same issue, but will Shumlin agree to pass the gender identity discrimination bill out of the Senate this year? Hopefully his gubernatorial ambitions won't overcome passing this needed piece of civil rights legislation. And Shumlin should lead the override attempt if Douglas vetoes the bill again.
 
This is the stage for Shumlin and Symington - they had better take it.
 
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