Voice for Equality: Vermont state Senator, Peter Shumlin

Peter Shumlin is an American politician from the State of Vermont, currently serving as President Pro Tempore of the Vermont Senate. Shumlin has represented the Windham Vermont Senate District for 8 terms (1992-2002, 2006-Present). Shumlin is a Democrat. On November 16, 2009, Shumlin announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for Governor of Vermont in 2010. Learn more here.

On December 8, 2009, following the New Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee's passage of a marriage equality bill on to the state Senate, Peter Shumlin wrote a letter published on New Jersey's bluejersey.com and delivered to New Jersey legislators imploring them to: "Just Do It!" [Link] His comments included:

In April of this year, supermajorities of Vermont's Senate and General Assembly voted to eliminate the discrimination against same-sex couples in our marriage laws. A majority of Democrats and a majority of Republicans in our Senate voted for the bill. For some, it was an easy vote; for others, it was a scary vote. But I can assure you that for everyone who voted for the bill, it was among the proudest acts of their careers.

The opportunity to make a difference in the central civil rights movement of this generation-to join the heroes that came before us in shaping the march to a more inclusive and just nation - only comes a once in a political lifetime. Don't let this moment pass you by. And don't be swayed by the fear-mongers. I can tell you from firsthand experience: They're wrong.

As I've begun campaigning to be Vermont's next Governor, I've traveled the state from top to bottom. I don't hear much about the marriage law; the Vermonters I've met have a lot of other things on their minds. Of those who do bring it up, nearly all are incredibly grateful. It seems most everyone has an uncle, daughter, or family friend that's gay.

Freedom to Marry salutes Peter Shumlin as a Voice for Equality! See other Voices for Equality here.

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