To win full marriage equality in Vermont we must push Democrats who voted against the marriage bill to vote with their party and override Republican Governor Jim Douglas’s veto.
Vermont Governor Jim Douglas is expected to follow through on his threat to veto gay marriage legislation tonight. The Vermont House of Representatives could vote on whether to overturn the veto as early as Tuesday. The legislation passed the House on Thursday with a vote of 95-52. In order to guaranty that we will overturn the veto, we need 100 votes. Don’t wait until after the vote to get angry. Act now to ensure we win!
TEN Democrats voted against marriage last Thursday. Three are expected to vote to override a veto as a show of party unity. We need two more. We must act today!
So if you do nothing else today, join us in calling these two Democrats to tell them to do the right thing and support the Democratic caucus in overturning the veto:
Rep Cynthia Browning-Democrat
Home Office: 802-375-9019 (call here first)
Capitol Switchboard: 802-828-2231
Email: cynthiab@sover.net (call first, it’s easier to ignore email)
Browning has been under extraordinary pressure from her colleagues, but has yet to move. The Burlington Banner reported: “Browning said her vote had nothing to do with religion, but rather the fundamental purpose of marriage. “It’s not based on religion. It’s actually based on a view of how our society works … on an anthropological basis,” she said. [emphasis added]
Rep. Tim Corcoran-Democrat
Home Office: 802-447-0929 (call here first)
Capitol Switchboard: 802-828-2231
The Banner also reported: ” Rep. Timothy Corcoran II, a Bennington Democrat, also voted against the bill. He called the decision the most difficult of his seven years in Montpelier. “It came down to what my belief of what marriage is, and that is between a man and a woman,” he said. “I just couldn’t get over that at the end of the day.”
“I’m going to have to live with it,” Corcoran added. “No matter how I voted it was going to upset a lot of people. It’s unfortunate, but that’s my job, and ultimately I will be held accountable.” ”
And in fact he will.
If you want to see marriage in Vermont, YOU MUST come out to these legislators (you can also come out as a straight person who has LGBT loved ones you care deeply about). Tell your own personal stories AND THEN tell them that their actions affect you and your loved ones and that they must vote with the Vermont Democratic Party to override Gov. Douglas’s veto.
CALL THEM BOTH NOW!
TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW TO CALL
After you call (and tell your friends after they call), respond to this poll so we can keep track of how many people are calling:
And whatever happens, commit to supporting primary challenges against any Democrat who does not support an override of the veto.
YOU HAVE THE POWER
For a complete list of Democrats who voted against marriage click here. Answer the poll each time you call any of them.
The Power 