Dan Zwonitzer voted against a bill attempting to ban recognition of legal same-sex unions performed out of state or in countries where such unions are legal. The bill died in a comittee by a single vote.
He also gave a level headed and enlightened speech on the issue, drawing ire from many constituents. Here is a quote:
I echo Representative Childers concerns, that testifying against this bill may cost me my seat. I have two of my precinct committee persons behind me today who are in favor of this bill, as I stand here opposed, and I understand that I may very well lose my election. It cost 4 moderate Republican Senators in Kansas their election last year for standing up on this same issue. But I tell myself that there are some issues that are greater than me, and I believe this is one of them. And if standing up for equal rights costs me my seat so be it. I will let history be my judge, and I can go back to my constituents and say I stood up for basic rights. I will tell my children that when this debate went on, I stood up for basic rights for people.
Thank you Dan Zwonitzer. You’re a good man in my book.
-dr
