Where D.C. Officials stand on Vermont-style civil unions
Compiled by the Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance
Councilmember Linda Cropp
Council questionnaire, 2002
www.glaa.org/archive/2002/cqcropp.shtml
12. Will you support legislation in the District similar to Vermont's civil unions law?
Answer: "I am open to consideration of District legislation similar to Vermont's civil union laws, that would extend the same rights and benefits to same sex couples and their families as enjoyed by married couples. However, any such legislation must be considered in the context of the current political climate. We must not jeopardize the recent gains in the District's Home Rule, particularly to the gay and lesbian community - including the domestic partnership and needle exchange program - by inviting Congressional intervention."
Councilmember Carol Schwartz
Council questionnaire, 2000
www.glaa.org/archive/2000/cqschwartz.shtml
16. Will you support legislation in the District similar to Vermont's civil unions law?
Answer: "Yes. Legislation in Vermont came about as a result of action from its Supreme Court, which guided the state legislature in its actions. Having the benefit of a judicial ruling would better ensure passage of such legislation in the District. Under such a scenario, I would endorse legislation similar to Vermont's civil unions law."
Councilmember Harold Brazil
Council questionnaire, 2000
www.glaa.org/archive/2000/cqbrazil.shtml
16. Will you support legislation in the District similar to Vermont's civil unions law?
Answer: "Yes."
Councilmember David Catania
Council questionnaire, 2002
www.glaa.org/archive/2002/cqcatania.shtml
12. Will you support legislation in the District similar to Vermont's civil unions law?
Answer: "Yes. With the recent implementation of the District's Health Care Benefits Expansion Act of 1992, we now have an opportunity to expand the scope of the legislation. I will support legislation similar to Vermont's civil union law. I believe that a single comprehensive expansion of our law will invite Congressional interference, however. I favor an incremental approach that accomplishes this goal. I have already started this process, albeit in a very small way.
"As part of the "Fiscal Year 2002 Budget Support Act", I authored a change to the "Funeral Services Regulatory Amendment Act of 2001," which placed domestic partners on equal footing with a surviving spouse for purposes of the Act. Among other things, this Act determines, unless other directions are given by the decedent, the right to control the disposition of the remains of a deceased person, the location and conditions of interment, and arrangements for funeral goods and services."
Councilmember Phil Mendelson
Council questionnaire, 2002
www.glaa.org/archive/2002/cqmendelson.shtml
12. Will you support legislation in the District similar to Vermont's civil unions law?
Answer: "Yes, I will support legislation in the District similar to Vermont's civil union law - making all the provisions of marriage available without regard to the sex of the couple entering into civil marriage."
Councilmember Jim Graham
Council questionnaire, 2002
www.glaa.org/archive/2002/cqgraham.shtml
12. Will you support legislation in the District similar to Vermont's civil unions law?
Answer: "Yes."
Councilmember Jack Evans
Council questionnaire, 2000
www.glaa.org/archive/2000/cqevans.shtml
16. Will you support legislation in the District similar to Vermont's civil unions law?
Answer: "Yes. As a first step the District must move toward recognizing the civil unions which occurred this July in Vermont. Not only is it the right thing to do, but failing to do so will only result in a lengthy court battle. As we move toward recognition, we must also begin the arduous process of creating our own civil union process. True, given Congressional oversight, this will be a difficult venture. However, given the merits of this issue we must move forward. As such, my staff has already been in contact with your organization on this subject. I look forward to working soon with GLAA on advancing both of these issues."
Councilmember Kathy Patterson
Council questionnaire, 2002
www.glaa.org/archive/2002/cqpatterson.shtml
12. Will you support legislation in the District similar to Vermont's civil unions law?
Answer: "Yes. I also support expanding the benefits available to domestic partners as an interim step on the path to civil unions. For example, the District should pay health insurance premiums to domestic partners of city employees on the same basis as it does for family coverage.
"I’m also drafting legislation to include domestic partners in the District’s Health Care Decisions Act. The purpose of the change is to allow domestic partners to make medical treatment decisions in case of a partner’s incapacity. I know that gay and lesbian partners lack the protections that many heterosexual partners take for granted, and I will continue working to make sure that gay and lesbian partners share in these protections."
Councilmember Adrian Fenty
Council questionnaire, 2000
www.glaa.org/archive/2000/cqfenty.shtml
16. Will you support legislation in the District similar to Vermont's civil unions law?
Answer: "Yes. I believe the District should establish civil unions and domestic partnerships laws for all couples desiring recognition of the state of a specific union."
Councilmember Vincent Orange
Council questionnaire, 2002
*** DID NOT RESPOND TO GLAA QUESTIONNAIRE ***
Councilmember Sharon Ambrose
Council questionnaire, 2002
www.glaa.org/archive/2002/cqambrose.shtml
12. Will you support legislation in the District similar to Vermont's civil unions law?
Answer: "Yes, and I would be happy to work with GLAA and the community to introduce such legislation. Again, under the current political climate, this could be very difficult to pass through Congressional review, and I would, of course, work with the community on deciding our best strategy for achieving this goal."
Councilmember Kevin Chavous
Council questionnaire, 2000
*** DID NOT RESPOND TO GLAA QUESTIONNAIRE ***
Councilmember Sandy Allen
Council questionnaire, 2000
www.glaa.org/archive/2000/cqallen.shtml
16. Will you support legislation in the District similar to Vermont's civil unions law?
Answer: "Yes, I plan to continue to support legislation that will recognize marriages between partners. In addition, I have always agreed with legal acceptance of unions between partners of the same sex."
