Petrelis Files

AP: Zwonitzer's Speech Draws Cheers from Bloggers, Gay Activists

That admirable young GOP man Dan Zwonitzer just can't keep himself out of the news this week, can he? Nothing gives me greater pleasure, more than a week after I learned of his speech and worked with fellow bloggers to call justifiable attention to his remarks, to see him and bloggers getting on the AP wire.

Dan Zwonitzer, may have tongue-twisting name, but he's a straight man I nominate as the Gay Community's Hero for Spring 2007.

From the AP wire:

Republican Casts Surprise Vote Killing Wyoming Anti-gay Bill

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Republican Wyoming House Speaker Roy Cohee cast the tie-breaking vote in committee to kill a bill that would have barred Wyoming from recognizing gay marriages from other states. Wyoming already has a law in place that says marriages conducted within the state must be between a man and a woman. [...]

Supporters of the bill said gay marriage is morally wrong and destructive to society. Opponents said the bill would discriminate against a minority group. Some added that such measures lead to increased violence against homosexuals and incidents of suicide.

"This is the civil rights struggle of my generation,” said Rep. Dan Zwonitzer (R-Cheyenne), whose passionate speech in favor of gay equality drew cheers from gay activists and bloggers across the country this week.