Part One: Some New Hampshire Heroes Of Equality

by: Rep. Jim Splaine

Thu Jun 04, 2009 at 23:23:24 PM EDT

This Blog post, and perhaps three others to follow, just tries to remind us of some of those people.  Some names may not be familiar to all, but are remembered for their dedication in years past.  The danger of writing any list is that it misses mentioning some, and perhaps readers with a longer memory than mine can write about the ones they remember.  

There are many Heroes, and I don't have the sole "right" any more than anyone else involved in this cause to create my own particular list.  These are Heroes to me, and I offer them for your consideration too.  My effort here is to make sure some don't go unnoticed.  I'd like to hear other readers name their additional Heroes too.  There's enough credit to go around, because this historic moment is about thousands of people.

If readers make comments about other Heroes before I get to listing them, I might just add something else about them.  Fact is, many people should be listed.  My effort is just to make sure some aren't lost in the shuffle.  

I mention these in no particular order, and yes -- there are so many others.  Each one has been vital to our cause of achieving equality because it is on each we have stood:  

Hero Peter Burling, former House Democratic Leader and State Senator who spoke out for equality during years when the opposition forces were even more hostile than today.  His was and continues to be strong, dedicated, principled leadership.

Hero Nick Panagopolous of Manchester, who as a very young NH State Representative gave one of the strongest, most passionate speeches ever made on the floor of the House back about a decade ago in favor of equality.  He changed minds.

Hero Corey Corbin, former State Representative who in fighting against a bill calling for marriage only between a man and a woman several years ago spoke with courage on the House floor about his experience of living with HIV.  He reminded people why our cause is so important.

Hero Gary Parker, who as a young State Representative back in the early and mid 1970s spoke against discrimination toward "homosexuals," as the common word was back then.  Gary was at the time in the closet, as were other gays and lesbians back then, but was a brave soul who took no grief from anyone.  Republicans crossed him at their own risk.  He moved to San Francisco and became involved in politics in that city, but died of AIDS after a long fight in the mid-1980s.  

Hero Alphonse Plourde, who as a State Representative fought for funding for AIDS organizations when those groups were just beginning their work in the 1980s.  He too passed away from the disease, but he put a face to the cause and made many friends in the Legislature of both parties.  We who knew him miss him dearly.

Hero Gail Robinson, a former member of the House in the 1970s as well as more recently during the past few years.  She spoke out against the so-called "marriage commission" of several years ago, and by making friends in the Legislature as easily as she has, she encouraged support for many of our causes.  She aided this year's fight as a co-President of the Stonewall Democrats.

Hero Ray Buckley, and we all know of his background and current duties, who has a lifetime of fighting against discrimination.  He led the fight for adoption rights for gays and lesbians, and he's been involved in every battle for equality in the past four decades .

Hero Chris Spriou, former House Democratic Leader and Democratic Party Chair, who in his years of leading Democrats tolerated no notion of discrimination against anyone, and defended gay and lesbian rights and equality at a time when AIDS paranoia was spreading around the country and the state.

Hero Brian Rater, who with several others founded and became a leader of NH Freedom to Marry.  He has been a strong speaker at public hearings on issues of equality, and has led the fight for marriage equality for over a decade.

Hero Mo Baxley, who going back more than a quarter of a century has worked tirelessly for equality rights, and during the past several years led efforts for marriage equality as Executive Director of NH Freedom To Marry. Her organizational talents were instrumental during the past several months from the time of the first public hearing in the House Judiciary Committee on February 5th to the very last day in getting House Bill 436 signed as law.  

Hero Jeanne Shaheen, who as Governor in 1997 spoke out for civil rights for gays and lesbians, and signed the law including sexual orientation under our civil rights laws.  Remember, just a dozen years ago the "polls" weren't nearly as strong for those political leaders who stood up for equality.  She was a leader then, and still is.

Hero Chris Pappas of Manchester, who as a State Representative spoke out in the House against embedding discrimination into our state laws and State Constitution.  He's continuing his work as Chair of the Manchester Democrats.

Hero Burt Cohen, who as a State Senator helped lead the fight for including sexual orientation in our civil rights laws, and has frequently made the case for equality for all on his Portsmouth radio program and newspaper and magazine commentaries.  

Hero Paul McEachern, who in 2004 was the first candidate ever for New Hampshire Governor to take a position in favor of marriage equality.  He also cosponsored this year's HB 436.

Hero Arnie Arnesen, who as a State Representative and more recently as a television and radio talk show host has so passionately and creatively spoken in favor of gay and lesbian equality.  

Hero Claire Ebel of the NH Civil Liberties Union.  Wow when she speaks at public hearings on equality issues, she is always persuasive, passionate, and intelligent.  One of the best spokespeople for equality we have.  

Hero Bob Thompson, a first-term State Representative from Manchester who has quite a political future if he wants it.  His person-to-person persuasive talents won support for equality from a number of House members, and his competent ability talking with reporters and having television and radio interviews kept us on message.  

Hero Bill Siroty, the good doctor who created a much-missed and well-read daily update about political issues in general, which always seemed to carry extra news about gay and lesbian issues.  He's continued as a Blogger and his frequent "calls to actions" on marriage equality this year helped at important moments.  

Hero Dean Barker and the Hampsters -- who created an invaluable vehicle for getting the word out on important issues, and which was filled to steamy overdrive during the hot moments on the HB 436 saga.  I can attest that many a Democrat and Republican in the State House checks BlueHampshire.com for the tone and intensity of current daily discussion topics.  Those who participate in this Blog are heard, and it has become as good as any political coffee room (or lounge) New Hampshire has.  

Not all these Heroes are gay or lesbian, but those who are have provided the faces and told the stories that through the years have allowed fellow Legislators and others see us as people.  That alone has broken down discrimination, because when one gets to know someone as a friend -- when they see our faces and hear our stories -- it's difficult to discriminate against or dislike us.

Harvey Milk had it right:  "Come out, come out, wherever you are."
More Heroes soon.  How about yours?