National group works the phones in Vermont against gay marriage
2:22 p.m.
Toolbox
By DANIEL BARLOW Vermont Press Bureau - Published: April 2, 2009
MONTPELIER - A national organization opposed to same-sex marriage flooded Vermont with phone calls Wednesday urging residents to contact their lawmakers.
The phone message, which appears to have gone out throughout Vermont, contains the name of the household's local state representative and the legislator's home phone number. It urges the resident to contact the lawmakers and tell them to stand with Gov. James Douglas against same-sex marriage.
The calls are funded by the National Organization for Marriage, which has several offices throughout the country. The group funds opposition to same-sex marriage in states such as California, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
A call to Brian Brown, the organization's executive director, was not returned by early afternoon Thursday.
Members of the Vermont House are scheduled to begin debate on the same-sex marriage bill Thursday afternoon. Hundreds of Vermonters, a majority of whom appear to support same-sex marriage, have gathered in the House chambers in anticipation.
The Vermont Senate approved the bill in a 26-4 vote last month. The bill is expected to pass the House this week, but faces a veto from the Republican governor.
5