Janet Napolitano is not afraid to stand up for equal rights for gays, lesbians and the transgendered. Although she's politically savvy enough not to endorse full marriage rights for loving homosexual couples (especially considering how backwards some Arizona voters are - remember the MLK holiday vote), she has not been shy about her support for civil unions for gay couples. Janet is even gutsy enough to say so in the newspaper serving the neanderthal areas of Mesa and Gilbert:
East Valley Tribune, September 30, 2002In another story she reiterated her support for diversity of loving relationships:None of the four candidates supports same-sex marriage. But two of them have said permitting "civil commitment" ceremonies recognized by the state - as is done in Vermont - is acceptable. . . . Salmon and Mahoney also oppose "civil commitment" ceremonies between same-sex partners. Napolitano said, "I support having equal benefits for all in our state."
Arizona Republic, October 24, 2002And if the candidate is a single workaholic in her 40s with no known significant other since becoming a public figure, she faces other questions. . . .
"I do have an agenda of tolerance for the many diverse types of families we have in Arizona."
TAKE THAT EAST VALLEY CONSERVATIVES!!!
Protecting Gays, Lesbians, and the Transgendered from Discrimination
Janet Napolitano authored legislation to protect gays, lesbians and the transgendered from all forms of discrimination:
The Gay Financial Network, January 17, 2001The bill didn't pass, but it would have stopped bigoted parents from preventing transvestites or transsexuals from teaching in the schools. It would have also stopped discrimination in housing, by making people ignore their religious bigotry when it comes to renting rooms, houses or apartments to gays, lesbians, or transsexuals.[Napolitano's bill] is the most encompassing bill pending before the Legislature . . . [and] was authored by the office of Attorney General Janet Napolitano . . . . [The bill] would add sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of protected classes for businesses with 15 or more employees. The bill would also make it illegal to turn gay, lesbian or transsexual people, as well as other protected classes, away from housing and hotels and motels.
Watch out grandpa, you're going to be renting that guest house to my friends before much longer.