Petrelis Files

WY Conservation Leader

Fights for Gay Marriage

The Associated Press yesterday ran a brief news story about another dumb attempt in Wyoming, the Equality State, to outlaw the state from recognizing gay marriages performed in Connecticut and Massachusetts, or other states that may legalize marriage equality. As far as gay marriage proponents, even some who oppose such weddings, have acknowledged, there isn't even a handful of gay couples rushing to Wyoming to live and work, but that isn't stopping the legislature from creating a solution to a non-existent problem. From the AP wire:

Clergy members and impassioned citizens clashed over a bill that would amend the state constitution to prohibit Wyoming from recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other states. The House Judiciary committee held a hearing Tuesday on the joint resolution. If approved by both chambers, the measure go before Wyoming voters in 2010.

Supporters of the resolution say voters should decide whether Wyoming recognizes same-sex marriages performed elsewhere.

Jason Marsden of Casper opposes the bill. He argues that many gays are in stable relationships and that there is widespread misunderstanding about gay marriages and their influence on society. ...

Through Googling, I quickly found out that Marsden is openly gay, partnered with Guy Padgett, the former mayor of Casper who was nicely profiled years ago in the NY Times and Time magazine, once worked as a reporter at the Casper Star Tribune and is now the executive director of the Wyoming Conservation Voters organization. From everything I've read on Marsden and Padgett, they're quite the engaged gay couple involved with their local civic, environmental and political institutions.

And they're friends with straight GOP politician Dan Zwonitzer, the WY lawmaker who went out of his way in February 2007 to defend not only the dignity of gay people, but also spent political capital endorsing gay marriage. Marsden's Facebook page lists Zwonitzer as a friend. Hi Dan!

Well, you know me, one who never passes up an opportunity to thank someone in a remote area or difficult situation for doing the right thing on a gay issue, I sent off a thank you note to Marsden this morning. I asked if he had any written testimoney he could share with me, and he doesn't. However, he emailed this message and gave permission to post it:

Thanks for your kind note. I would love to share my testimony with you - except it was entirely extemporaneous. I never speak from prepared notes. I'm just like that. Apparently my speech caused quite a buzz. Rep. Mary Throne, who is one tough cookie, started crying. It was weird.

Sorry to be so brief, but I need to get back to the Capitol for my actual lobbying job related to wildlife.

I will just say that the whole circus yesterday was exasperating, and a needless intrusion into the dignity (and schedules) of dozens of people who should not have had to wake up one day in the Equality State, walk to the Capitol, pass under the great seal with the motto "Equal Rights" emblazoned across it, and sit through hours of anti-gay rhetoric to beg for equal rights for themselves from a completely indifferent Legislature. But that is the hand we've been dealt.

Hopefully the full House of Representatives will see fit to kill this appalling legislation before we get to suffer through a mountain of TV ads like you all did last year in California. Wish us luck.

Hey, Jason, on behalf of all California gays fighting for marriage equality, I extend thanks to you for being out and advocating for the dignity and value of gay Americans. Keep up all the great work you do, and say hi to your partner Guy for me.