State of Vermont Archives: on Civil Rights


David Zuckerman: Root out structural and systemic oppression

We must address implicit bias in all aspects of our communities, from education to employment, and the long-term impact that it has on all people of color. It is imperative that we work to right the legacy impacts of policy decisions that have disadvantaged people of color and have had pervasive and persistent ramifications. It is equally important that we do not repeat the mistakes of the past and ensure that our work is informed by an intention to root out structural and systemic oppression.

Many people with disabilities face discrimination and barriers that restrict them from participating in society on an equal basis. We must prioritize legislation that incorporates equity. We must provide incentives and support to Vermont businesses to hire people with disabilities and ensure that schools are providing education that meets each child's needs. Vermonters with disabilities deserve the same quality of life that all Vermonters deserve.

Source: 2020 Vermont governor campaign website ZuckermanForVT.com Apr 3, 2020

David Zuckerman: Voted to override veto of gay marriage law

Vermont should be a place where all feel welcome. We must work to remove societal biases and laws that disproportionately harm nonmajority communities in Vermont. We must lift up Vermont women, indigenous Vermonters, Vermonters of color, LGBTQIA Vermonters, rural Vermonters, Vermonters of all religions, Vermonters with disabilities, and Vermonters of all socioeconomic classes. We must stand up against hate speech and ensure equal employment opportunities and equity.

In 2009 David and the Vermont legislature codified the right of same-sex couples to marry in Vermont by overriding Governor Jim Douglas' veto. We as Vermonters will continue to uplift the LGBTQIA community by ensuring that they receive the same rights

Source: 2020 Vermont governor campaign website ZuckermanForVT.com Apr 3, 2020

David Zuckerman: Women should be paid equally and treated equally

Women should be paid equally and treated equally. While we can be proud that the gender pay gap in Vermont is the lowest of any of the United States, no gap is acceptable. Vermont women made 87 cents to every dollar that a Vermont man made in 2019, and the gap increases when race is taken into account. We must also address underlying sexism and ensure pay equity.
Source: 2020 Vermont governor campaign website ZuckermanForVT.com Apr 3, 2020

Christine Hallquist: Wants Vermont to welcome all groups, including marginalized

Address racial disparities in Vermont's criminal justice system. Ensure Vermont communities are welcoming to all, including historically marginalized groups. Ensure safe schools where our children can learn, thrive, and never face a threat of gun violence.
Source: 2018 VT governor Campaign website ChristineForVermont.com Sep 1, 2018

Phil Scott: Support peaceful march against bias & discrimination

Over the weekend, thousands of Vermonters peacefully marched into Montpelier to show solidarity in our resolve against bias, discrimination and intolerance.

I will continue to protect the rights of Vermonters and the human rights of all people. In my Inaugural address, I outlined a vision where we build the best education system in the country, making economic growth the focus of each effort we undertake, and create opportunity for all Vermonters. I am committed to this vision and believe we can achieve it, if we find common ground, listen to the people we are here to serve, and make the difficult decisions necessary to set a new course. If we work together and consider the motto of Vermont's Mountain Battalion: we can "ascend to victory," even when the climb sometimes feels too steep.

Source: 2017 Vermont State of the State address Jan 25, 2017

Phil Scott: Supports gay marriage and transgender bathroom rights

Lt. Gov. Phil Scott, the only Republican statewide officeholder, has made this race close by tacking to the left. A part-time race-car driver, Scott has wide name recognition and has denounced Trump as "someone who exploits fear for political gain" and "who is willing to overlook the truth."

Scott supports abortion rights and gay marriage, and said during a debate that transgender students should be allowed to use the bathroom of their choice.

Source: Associated Press on 2016 Vermont Gubernatorial race Oct 1, 2016

Scott Milne: Opposes affirmative action

Q: Do you support affirmative action programs?

Scott Milne: No

Source: iSideWith.com Voter Guide on 2016 Vermont Senate race Sep 9, 2016

Sue Minter: Economic security for women via livable wages and equal pay

Empowering Women: Women in Vermont are twice as likely as men to live in poverty and face additional barriers to employment. Vermont's families and economy cannot truly thrive unless we address economic security for women with livable wages and equal pay. I will promote diversifying our workforce with family-friendly policies and non-traditional career paths to attract and retain women in the Vermont workforce.
Source: 2016 Vermont gubernatorial campaign website SueMinter.com May 25, 2016

David Zuckerman: Supports same-sex marriage and inclusion of gender identity

Q: Do you support same-sex marriage?

Yes.

Q: Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in Vermont's anti-discrimination laws?

Yes.

Q: Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in Vermont's anti-discrimination laws?

Yes.

Source: Vote Smart Vermont State 2014 Political Courage Test Nov 1, 2014

Scott Milne: Supported civil unions in 2000

His mother, Marion Milne, served in the state House. In 2000, she cast a vote in favor of civil unions. The controversial precursor to same-sex marriage divided Vermont, particularly in Orange County, where "Take Back Vermont" was the mantra blaring from signs posted on barns. Fellow Republicans targeted her in that year's election, and she lost the primary. Marion Milne then ran as an independent in the general election, falling short by 1,000 votes.

Scott Milne remembers that his mother knew as she voted on civil unions that she was likely to lose her seat as a result. He supported her all the way, he said.

Scott Milne helped campaign door-to-door for his mother and saw firsthand the raw anger civil unions had generated. So did his then-12-year-old son. At one door, he said, his son was treated to a string of expletives about his grandmother. "It's too bad what a divisive, traumatic time that was. How that ended up being a party issue on either side," Scott Milne said.

Source: Burlington Free Press on 2016 Vermont Senate race Oct 28, 2014

Jim Douglas: Declare Juneteenth an annual tribute to emancipation

Governor Jim Douglas today announced that he has proclaimed this Saturday, June 20, 2009 as Juneteenth National Freedom Day in Vermont. "I want to thank [legislators] for their tremendous efforts to pass Legislation declaring the third Saturday in June annually, as Juneteenth National Freedom Day in Vermont," said Governor Douglas. Juneteenth is an important annual tribute to the emancipation of African-Americans from slavery in our country. And it serves as a reminder to us all that we must speak out against hate, violence and discrimination against all humans. I hope Vermonters will join me in commemorating Juneteenth National Freedom Day in Vermont."
Source: Governor press release on Vermont proclamation/voting record Jun 19, 2009

Jim Douglas: Veto defining marriage as "2 people" not "1 man & 1 woman"

Gov. Douglas VETOED the proposed bill:

Vermont legislative summary for S.115: Marriage is the legally recognized union of two people [changing the definition from "one man and one woman"]. Gender-specific terms relating to the marital relationship, including "spouse," "family," "marriage," "bride," "groom," "husband," "wife," "widow," and "widower," shall be construed to be gender-neutral for all purposes throughout the law.

Governor's veto message: This is an issue that is intensely personal, but I am charged by our Constitution to act, and by its return without my signature, I have fulfilled that responsibility. Vermont's civil union law has afforded the same state rights, responsibilities and benefits of marriage to same sex couples. I believe that marriage should remain between a man and a woman.

Legislative outcome: 4/6 vetoed by Governor Douglas; 4/7 veto override in House 94-52-3; 4/7 Senate veto override 23-5-2.

Source: Vermont legislative voting records for S.115 Apr 7, 2009

Peter Shumlin: Define marriage as "two people" not "one man & one woman"

Sen. Shumlin SPONSORED this bill and voted to override the veto:

Vermont legislative summary for S.115: Marriage is the legally recognized union of two people [changing the definition from "one man and one woman"]. Gender-specific terms relating to the marital relationship, including "spouse," "bride," "groom," "husband," "wife," "widow," and "widower," shall be construed to be gender-neutral for all purposes throughout the law.

Governor's veto message: This is an issue that is intensely personal, but I am charged by our Constitution to act, and by its return without my signature, I have fulfilled that responsibility. Vermont's civil union law has afforded the same state rights, responsibilities and benefits of marriage to same sex couples. I believe that marriage should remain between a man and a woman.

Legislative outcome: 4/6 vetoed by Governor Douglas; 4/7 veto override in House 94-52-3; 4/7 Senate veto override 23-5-2.

Source: Vermont legislative voting records for S.115 Apr 7, 2009

Peter Shumlin: Define marriage as "two people" not "one man & one woman"

Sen. Shumlin SPONSORED this bill and voted to override the veto:

Vermont legislative summary for S.115: Marriage is the legally recognized union of two people [changing the definition from "one man and one woman"]. Gender-specific terms relating to the marital relationship, including "spouse," "bride," "groom," "husband," "wife," "widow," and "widower," shall be construed to be gender-neutral for all purposes throughout the law.

Governor's veto message: This is an issue that is intensely personal, but I am charged by our Constitution to act, and by its return without my signature, I have fulfilled that responsibility. Vermont's civil union law has afforded the same state rights, responsibilities and benefits of marriage to same sex couples. I believe that marriage should remain between a man and a woman.

Legislative outcome: 4/6 vetoed by Governor Douglas; 4/7 veto override in House 94-52-3; 4/7 Senate veto override 23-5-2.

Source: Vermont legislative voting records for S.115 Apr 7, 2009

Phil Scott: Ballot initiative ok; don't legislatively re-define marriage

Sen. Scott OPPOSED the proposed bill (supporting instead a ballot initiative):

Vermont legislative summary for S.115: Marriage is the legally recognized union of two people [changing the definition from "one man and one woman"]. Gender- specific terms relating to the marital relationship, including "spouse," "bride," "groom," "widow," and "widower," shall be construed to be gender-neutral for all purposes throughout the law.

Governor's veto message: This is an issue that is intensely personal, but I am charged by our Constitution to act, and by its return without my signature, I have fulfilled that responsibility. Vermont's civil union law has afforded the same state rights, responsibilities and benefits of marriage to same sex couples. I believe that marriage should remain between a man and a woman.

Legislative outcome: 4/6 vetoed by Gov. Douglas; 4/7 veto override in House 94-52-3; 4/7 Senate veto override 23-5-2 (Scott absent)

Source: Vermont legislative voting records for S.115 Apr 7, 2009

Shap Smith: Define marriage as "two people" not "one man & one woman"

Rep. Smith voted to override the veto:

Vermont legislative summary for S.115: Marriage is the legally recognized union of two people [changing the definition from "one man and one woman"]. Gender-specific terms relating to the marital relationship, including "spouse," "bride," "groom," "husband," "wife," "widow," and "widower," shall be construed to be gender-neutral for all purposes throughout the law.

Governor's veto message: This is an issue that is intensely personal, but I am charged by our Constitution to act, and by its return without my signature, I have fulfilled that responsibility. Vermont's civil union law has afforded the same state rights, responsibilities and benefits of marriage to same sex couples. I believe that marriage should remain between a man and a woman.

Legislative outcome: 4/6 vetoed by Governor Douglas; 4/7 veto override in House 94-52-3; 4/7 Senate veto override 23-5-2.

Source: Vermont legislative voting records for S.115 Apr 7, 2009

Sue Minter: Define marriage as "two people" not "one man & one woman"

Rep. Minter voted to override the veto:

Vermont legislative summary for S.115: Marriage is the legally recognized union of two people [changing the definition from "one man and one woman"]. Gender-specific terms relating to the marital relationship, including "spouse," "bride," "groom," "husband," "wife," "widow," and "widower," shall be construed to be gender-neutral for all purposes throughout the law.

Governor's veto message: This is an issue that is intensely personal, but I am charged by our Constitution to act, and by its return without my signature, I have fulfilled that responsibility. Vermont's civil union law has afforded the same state rights, responsibilities and benefits of marriage to same sex couples. I believe that marriage should remain between a man and a woman.

Legislative outcome: 4/6 vetoed by Governor Douglas; 4/7 veto override in House 94-52-3; 4/7 Senate veto override 23-5-2.

Source: Vermont legislative voting records for S.115 Apr 7, 2009

Greg Parke: Constitutional gay marriage ban is democracy in action

Senate Republican leaders in Washington tried to bring up a proposed constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage for a vote last week but they lacked the votes to have the bill considered on the floor. Greg Parke says he supports a constitutional amendment to prohibit gay marriage as a way to rein in state judges who are overturning marriage laws: Parke says, “Right now you have government imposing its will on society and these are unelected judges this constitutional amendment is democracy in a
Source: Bob Kinzel series of interviews on Vermont Public Radio Jun 12, 2006

Richard Tarrant: Don’t use Constitution on special interest like gay marriage

Senate Republican leaders in Washington tried to bring up a proposed constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage for a vote last week but they lacked the votes to have the bill considered on the floor. Richard Tarrant says it’s wrong to use the Constitution to address this issue: Tarrant says, “This clearly is one special interest against another special interest and I think the Constitution is clearly not the place for that so I don’t think it should have never been introduced.”
Source: Bob Kinzel series of interviews on Vermont Public Radio Jun 12, 2006

Bernie Sanders: Bush’s tracking citizens’ phone call patterns is illegal

Sanders says the Administration’s plan to track the phone calling patterns of millions of American is illegal. The Bush plan has so angered Sanders that he’s joined a legal effort to prohibit this practice in the future. Sanders says, “This president cannot do whatever he wants whenever he wants to. That is illegal. That is unconstitutional to my mind - the idea that the government can tap people’s phones or get into their emails without a court warrant is clearly wrong and it is clearly illegal.”

Sanders says it’s important to conduct effective anti terrorism programs, but he says these programs must be conducted within the limits of the law. Sanders says, “We want a vigorous investigation of anybody that the government or the FBI believes is involved in terrorist activity. But you can’t just have a situation where the government can go after anybody for any reason without any probable cause, without going to getting a court warrant. I think that that is a very dangerous precedent.”

Source: Bob Kinzel series of interviews on Vermont Public Radio Jun 5, 2006

Howard Dean: Egalitarianism implies the legality of gay civil unions

I believe that all people are created equal, certainly in the eyes of God. Therefore, they should be equal in the eyes of the law. That’s why I knew I had to work for civil unions. I never viewed the bill as a gay rights issue. I signed it out of a commitment to human rights, and because every single American has the same right to equality and justice under the law that I have.
Source: Winning Back America, p.157, on Vermont Voting Record H.847 Dec 3, 2003

Howard Dean: Gays deserve equal rights under the law

Q: Does gay marriage make you uncomfortable?

A: When I signed the civil unions bill, I didn’t know anything more about the gay community than I did 25 years earlier. I did it, not because I knew a lot about the gay community, it was because I believed every single American deserves equal rights under the law. I have come to know the GLBT community over time because I signed the first equal rights under the law bill for gay and lesbian Americans.

Source: CNN Rock The Vote on 2000 Vermont Voting Record H.847 Nov 5, 2003

Matt Dunne: Equal benefits for same sex couples

Q: Should people in civil unions have the same benefits as married couples in Vermont?

A: Yes.

Q: Should Vermont restrict marriage to a union only between a man and a woman?

A: No.

Dunne indicates he would include sexual orientation in Vermont's anti-discrimination laws.

Source: Vermont Congressional 2002 National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 2002

  • The above quotations are from State of Vermont Politicians: Archives.
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2020 Presidential contenders on Civil Rights:
  Democrats running for President:
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
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Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
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