Wyoming Equality has helped to make historic progress for the LGBT community in this legislative session. For the first time ever a Domestic Partnership bill passed out of committee with overwhelming bipartisan support! Unfortunately, the bill was killed on first reading in the house of representatives. Here's what may surprise you, of the 25 aye votes 17 were Republican.
Although we made history, one thing became painfully clear, WE STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO!! Here is a sample of what your elected officials had to say about you;
Rep. Lynn Hutchings (R) Laramie county;
"Being black is the result of genetics; it is inborn... science does not (have) evidence of a genetic involvement to sexuality... it is a choice." She went on to say, "Stop carpet- bagging on our civil rights movement! Homosexual behavior has been shown to be harmful to body, mind, and spirit" Finally she referred to AIDS as "Gay-related immune deficiency or GRID."
Rep. Mark Baker (R) Sweetwater County;
"Let me give you some statistics, cause we all know this is about same sex marriage.... The median age of homosexual man dying of aids is 39, the median age of a homosexual man dying of all other causes is 42, the median death of a lesbian dying in 45, only 1% of homosexuals dye of old age... Now I'll spare you the details about the diseases and statistics that are available.... there are disastrous consequences to this bill."
Rep. Robert McKim (R) Lincoln County;
“She say’s we can’t cherry pick (referring to Rep. Sue Wallis’ testimony regarding the Wyoming Constitution) we cherry pick every day.”
Rep. Kathy Davison (R) Lincoln/Sweetwater/Uninta Counties;
“You don’t need a certificate to do these things…. You can already do all of things that you are saying in this bill you want to do, I don’t think you need a legal certificate.”
And at times the testimony was flat out bizarre!
Rep. Nathan Winters (R) Big Horn/Fremont/Park/Hot Springs Counties;
“This
bill would then become a down payment on future lawsuits leading to same sex
marriage… just look
at the nutmeg state and if you don’t know what that is use pig-latin for cut
confetti… In voting no on this bill we are not denying love, we are not
infringing on rights.”
Wyoming Equality wants to keep fighting on your behalf and combat these myths, ignorant statements, and bigotry. But we can't do it without your continued financial support. Can you please help us now and make a tax deductible contribution that will allow us to make sure Wyoming lives up to her name as "The Equality State!"
Jeran
