Zwonitzer Takes Stand for "Basic Fairness"

It’s not often that you see Red-State Republicans praised by national gay rights advocates.

The Red State is Wyoming; the Republican is Dan Zwonitzer. The 27-year-old state rep from Cheyenne spoke out in a legislative committee against a measure that would have allowed Wyoming to deny recognition of gay marriages granted by other states or countries.The committee killed the bill.

In an AP story by Kathleen Miller in today’s Casper Star-Tribune, gay blogger and AIDs activist Michael Pterelis said this: "That was the thing that surprised many of us in the San Francisco gay community, that this pro-gay development happened in Dick Cheney's home state."Two Bay Area gay publications, the Bay Area Reporter and San Francisco Bay Times, had good words for Zwonitzer.

On Feb. 22, Rep. Zwonitzer told the House Rules Committee that he opposed the measure and would continue to do so even if it cost him his seat.

And he wasn’t the only Republican to do so. Committee member Rep. Tom Lubnau of Gillette took Zwonitzer’s side, acknowledging the Cheyenne legislator's speech before voting against the measure. The committee voted 7-6 to kill the bill, with House Speaker Roy Cohee, R-Casper, casting the tie-breaking vote. Zwonitzer couldn't vote against the bill because he's not on the committee. But he’s getting most of the attention because of his speech.

Gay Republicans have taken notice, too. The Log Cabin Republicans featured Zwonitzer on their web site under the headline: "Republican Wyoming State Rep. Takes Courageous Stand for Basic Fairness."

The group's president, Patrick Sammon, said this: "Doing what's right is not always easy, but history will remember those leaders who put principle over politics and inclusion over fear."

The Log Cabin Republicans have invited Zwonitzer to accompany former Republican Wyoming Sen. Alan Simpson to their national convention this year.

EDITOR’S NOTE: During the legislative session, I posted several times about this bill. I noted opposition from Democrats but overlooked the Republicans who made the difference in the end. Let’s hope progressive voters in these three Reps’ districts voice their support. It is possible none of three Reps will run in 2008. It’s also possible they will defeated by more fundy-friendly Repubs in the primaries.