32 Years Before SCOTUS Decisn, Sanrs Backed Gay Pri March | Off Msage

Contents:

• HOW BERNIE SANRS EVOLVED ON GAY MARRIAGE
• AS GAY RIGHTS ALLY, BERNIE SANRS WASN’T ALWAYS VANGUARD
• BERNIE SANRS WAS S AHEAD OF THE UNTRY ON GAY RIGHTS AND ENDG THE WAR ON DGS
• 8 WAYS BERNIE SANRS HAS STOOD UP FOR LGBTQ EQUALYARE GAYS FEELG THE BERN?{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}CULTUREBY JOEY PARKERFEBARY 25, 2016/5:11 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:574PX;WIDTH:1020PX;}JT SULLIVAN/GETTY IMAGSTOCKTON, CA - MAY 10: DEMOCRATIC PRINTIAL NDIDATE SANRS (D-VT) SPEAKS DURG A MPAIGN RALLY ON MAY 10, 2016 STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA. SANRS IS MPAIGNG CALIFORNIA AHEAD OF THE STATE'S JUNE 7TH PRINTIAL PRIMARY. (PHOTO BY JT SULLIVAN/GETTY IMAG)BY JOEY PARKERFEBARY 25, 2016 / 5:11 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"8 WAYS BERNIE SANRS HAS STOOD UP FOR LGBTQ EQUALY","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2016-02-25T22:11:38.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2016-02-25T22:11:38.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"JOEY PARKER","KEYWORDS":"MARRIAGE EQUALY, PRI, TRANSGENR","ARTICLESECTN":"CULTURE"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT'S WELL TO ELECTN SEASON, AND WE'RE ALL LOOKG AT THE NDIDAT FOR HOW THEY WILL ADDRS LGBTQ ISSU. COUNTER TO THE GOP ONTNNERS, BOTH DEMOCRATIC NDIDAT ARE STNCH ALLI. WE ENUMERATED HILLARY CLTON'S RERD OF LGBTQ SUPPORT, AND NOW S TIME TO FEEL THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BELOW, WE SPOTLIGHT EIGHT TIM BERNIE SANRS STOOD UP FOR LGBTQ {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE SUPPORTED EQUALY BEFORE MOST OF YOU WERE BORN.LRA PATTERSON/CQ ROLL CALL VIA GETTY IMAGREP. BERNIE SANRS, IND-VT., ON OCT. 29, 1990. (PHOTO BY LRA PATTERSON/CQ ROLL CALL VIA GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN SANRS WAS NNG FOR ERNOR OF VERMONT THE EARLY 70S, HE PENNED AN OPEN LETTER THAT POED THE THEN-RADIL IA THAT PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE NTROL OF THEIR BODI, THEIR MDS AND THEIR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"LET ABOLISH ALL LAWS THAT ATTEMPT TO IMPOSE A PARTICULAR BRAND OF MORALY OR "RIGHT" ON PEOPLE. LET'S ABOLISH ALL LAWS ALG WH ABORTN, DGS, SEXUAL BEHAVR (ADULTERY, HOMOSEXUALY, ETC.)."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE ENDORSED A PRI PARA BEFORE MOST PEOPLE KNEW WHAT ONE WAS.DAVID MCNEW/GETTY IMAGEAST LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 23: AN LGBT RIGHTS SUPPORTER RRI A SIGN AT A MPAIGN RALLY FOR DEMOCRATIC PRINTIAL NDIDATE SEN. BERNIE SANRS AT LLN PARK ON MAY 23, 2016 EAST LOS ANGEL, CALIFORNIA. SANRS IS MPAIGNG AHEAD OF THE JUNE 7 CALIFORNIA PRIMARY. (PHOTO BY DAVID MCNEW/GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE FUTURE SENATOR OM VERMONT SUPPORTED A PRI PARA BURLGTON BACK 1983, WAY BEFORE MOST POLICIANS EVEN SPOKE ABOUT LGBTQ {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"IN THE CY OF BURLGTON AND THE STATE OF VERMONT, PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO EXERCISE THEIR LIFTYL," HE STATED. "IT'S AN AMERIN RIGHT, ANYONE'S RIGHT TO HAVE A MARCH... THIS IS A CIVIL LIBERTI QUTN."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE KNOWS THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME.CAIAIMAGE/HIMALAYAN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SOME POLICIANS HAVE FLIP-FLOPPED, BUT SANRS HAS BEEN STEADFAST HIS SUPPORT: AS MAYOR OF BURLGTON THE 1980S, HE IMPLEMENTED AN ORDANCE THAT BANNED ANTI-GAY HOG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"IT IS MY VERY STRONG VIEW THAT A SOCIETY WHICH PROCLAIMS HUMAN EEDOM AS S GOAL, AS THE UNED STAT DO, MT WORK UNCEASGLY TO END DISCRIMATN AGAST ALL PEOPLE," HE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I AM HAPPY TO SAY THAT THIS PAST YEAR, BURLGTON, WE HAVE MA SOME IMPORTANT PROGRS BY ADOPTG AN ORDANCE WHICH PROHIBS DISCRIMATN HOG. THIS LAW WILL GIVE LEGAL PROTECTN NOT ONLY TO WELFARE RECIPIENTS, AND FAI WH CHILDREN, THE ELRLY AND THE HANDIPPED — BUT TO THE GAY MUNY AS WELL."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE SUPPORTS THE EQUALY ACT.ALEX WONG/GETTY IMAGWASHINGTON, DC - JULY 23: FLANKED BY NGRSNAL MEMBERS, U.S. SEN. SENATOR JEFEY MERKLEY (D-OR) (C) SPEAKS DURG A NEWS NFERENCE ON LGBT DISCRIMATN JULY 23, 2015 ON CAPOL HILL WASHGTON, DC. THE NEWS NFERENCE WAS TO TRODUCE THE EQUALY ACT OF 2015. (PHOTO BY ALEX WONG/GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YOU N STILL BE FIRED SIMPLY FOR BEG GAY OR TRANS 27 STAT, BUT BERNIE IS A -SPONSOR OF THE EQUALY ACT, WHICH WOULD AMEND THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964 TO BAN DISCRIMATN BASED ON GENR INTY OR SEXUAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AND IF ELECTED PRINT, HE SAYS HE'D HAPPILY SIGN TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"WE’VE GOT TO END LGBTQ DISCRIMATN THE WORKPLACE. VERMONT DID THIS 22 YEARS AGO WHEN PASSED ONE OF THE FIRST STATE LAWS THE UNTRY PROTECTG LBIAN AND GAY WORKERS. CONGRS SHOULD HAVE ACTED LONG AGO, BUT REPUBLINS HAVE BLOCKED ACTN."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE ASKED AND HE TOLD.CAMROCKER/GETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SANRS OPPOSED PRINT CLTON'S DON'T ASK DON'T TELL POLICY, WHICH PUT GAY SERVICE MEMBERS A KD OF LIMBO. IN A 1995 BATE, HE LLED OUT AN OPPONENT FOR SAYG HE DIDN'T WANT "HOMOS THE ARY."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"WAS THE GENTLEMAN REFERRG TO THE MANY THOANDS AND THOANDS OF GAY PEOPLE WHO HAVE PUT THEIR LIV ON THE LE FOR UNTLS WARS FENDG THIS UNTRY? IS THAT THE GROUP OF PEOPLE THE GENTLEMAN WAS REFERRG TO?" HE ASKED. "YOU HAVE SULTED THOANDS OF MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE PUT THEIR LIV ON THE LE!"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE VOTED AGAST THE DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE ACT.STT J. FERRELL/CONGRSNAL QUARTERLY/GETTY IMAGUNITED STATES - APRIL 10: BERBARD SANRS, I-VT., DURG NSIRATN OF MTEE PROCR TO BE FOLLOWED VTIGATNS TO ALLEGATNS OF MPAIGN FANCE IRREGULARI, CLUDG HANDLG DOCUMENTS. (PHOTO BY STT J. FERRELL/CONGRSNAL QUARTERLY/GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}UNLIKE SOME DEMOCRATS, SANRS DIDN'T HAVE TO "EVOLVE" ON THE EEDOM TO MARRY: HE WAS ONE OF THE FEW NGRSMAN TO OPPOSE DOMA BACK 1996. "THAT WAS A TOUGH VOTE," HE ADMTED. "NOT TOO MANY PEOPLE VOTED AGAST , BUT I DID."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 2011, HE LLED ON BARACK OBAMA TO SUPPORT MARRIAGE EQUALY—SOMETHG THE PRINT DID THE VERY NEXT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE ADVOT FOR THE TRANSGENR MUNY.DüNZL\ULLSTE BILD VIA GETTY IMAG(GERMANY OUT) BERNIE SANRS HOLDG A SPEECH AT A RALLY SAN DIEGO. (PHOTO BY DüNZLULLSTE BILD VIA GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"IN MANY STAT, IS LEGAL TO NY SOMEONE HOG FOR BEG TRANSGENR," SANRS STATED. "THAT IS WRONG AND MT END."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN ADDN, SENATOR SANRS SUPPORTS REQUIRG POLICE PARTMENTS NATNWI TO ADOPT POLICI ENSURG FAIRER TERACTNS WH TRANSGENR PEOPLE, PECIALLY TRANSGENR WOMEN OF LOR, WHO ARE OFTEN WRONGLY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE WANTS TO PROTECT SAME-SEX FAI.DüNZL\ULLSTE BILD VIA GETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 1993, SANRS VOTED AGAST AN AMENDMENT THAT WOULD BAN SAME-SEX UPL WASHGTON, DC, OM ADOPTG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MORE RECENTLY, HE'S BACKED THE EVERY CHILD DERV A FAY ACT (ECDFA), WHICH PROHIBS CHILD-WELFARE AGENCI RECEIVG FERAL AID OM DISCRIMATG AGAST ANY POTENTIAL FOSTER OR ADOPTIVE FAY ON THE BASIS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATN, GENR INTY, OR MARAL STAT. IN ADDN, ECDFA PREVENTS DISCRIMATN AGAST ANY FOSTER YOUTH BEE OF THEIR SEXUAL ORIENTATN OR GENR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}MARRIAGE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
• BERNIE SANRS STOOD UP FOR GAY SOLDIERS — 16 YEARS BEFORE "DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL" END
• BERNIE SANRS BLASTS CLTON RERD ON GAY RIGHTS, KEYSTONE, FREE TRA

HOW BERNIE SANRS EVOLVED ON GAY MARRIAGE

At a marquee event on Saturday one hundred days before the Iowa uc, Bernie Sanrs went after Hillary Clton’s rerd on gay rights. Wh Clton wag nearby, Sanrs blamed her for supportg the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which barred feral regnn of gay marriage, argug that she is now misleadg the public about her past views when she says that she only supported the law to prevent a nstutnal amendment.

“Today, some are tryg to rewre history by sayg they voted for one anti-gay law to stop somethg worse, ” Sanrs told a group of top Democratic anizers, whout sayg Clton’s name. There was a small mory opposed to discrimatg agast our gay brothers and sisters, and I am proud that I was one of those members!

AS GAY RIGHTS ALLY, BERNIE SANRS WASN’T ALWAYS VANGUARD

In addn, his reasong for opposg efforts to rtrict gay marriage was much narrower and legalistic than he now mak seem. When Sanrs was asked on Sunday about his vote agast the Defense of Marriage Act on CNN, he said that he believed back 1996 that gay upl had the right to gay marriage. ” In 1999, the Vermont Supreme Court led that the state had to guarantee protectns and benefs to gay upl, a stop short of legalizg gay marriage.

BERNIE SANRS WAS S AHEAD OF THE UNTRY ON GAY RIGHTS AND ENDG THE WAR ON DGS

Many proment Democrats, cludg Sanrs’ succsor as mayor of Burlgton and a gubernatorial nomee, spoke out favor of gay marriage, but Sanrs kept mum. Peter Freyne, a lolly beloved Vermont wrer and opn wrer whom Sanrs later ld as “the bt polil reporter the state of Vermont, ” acced the then-Congrsman of obftg on his gay rights posn. “Obtag Congrsman Bernie Sanrs’ posn on the gay marriage issue was like pullg teeth … om a rhoceros, ” Freyne wrote.

Freyne scribed repeated attempts to hear Sanrs’ views on gay marriage, and the ngrsman only said he “supports the current procs” the state legislature. That same year, Sanrs was asked a bate durg his first n for the Senate about a Massachetts state urt cisn that legalized gay marriage. He rpond by talkg about stat’ rights, which is an argument often ed by policians who have argued agast feral regnn of gay marriage as well.

It wasn’t until 2009 that Sanrs publicly voiced support for gay marriage, years after many of his ntemporari Vermont. The state legislature voted to legalize gay marriage that March and overro a gubernatorial veto to pass to law April. But a Sanrs’ mpaign spokman, Michael Briggs, strsed that he has a “long and nsistent rerd on gay rights.

8 WAYS BERNIE SANRS HAS STOOD UP FOR LGBTQ EQUALYARE GAYS FEELG THE BERN?{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}CULTUREBY JOEY PARKERFEBARY 25, 2016/5:11 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:574PX;WIDTH:1020PX;}JT SULLIVAN/GETTY IMAGSTOCKTON, CA - MAY 10: DEMOCRATIC PRINTIAL NDIDATE SANRS (D-VT) SPEAKS DURG A MPAIGN RALLY ON MAY 10, 2016 STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA. SANRS IS MPAIGNG CALIFORNIA AHEAD OF THE STATE'S JUNE 7TH PRINTIAL PRIMARY. (PHOTO BY JT SULLIVAN/GETTY IMAG)BY JOEY PARKERFEBARY 25, 2016 / 5:11 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"8 WAYS BERNIE SANRS HAS STOOD UP FOR LGBTQ EQUALY","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2016-02-25T22:11:38.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2016-02-25T22:11:38.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"JOEY PARKER","KEYWORDS":"MARRIAGE EQUALY, PRI, TRANSGENR","ARTICLESECTN":"CULTURE"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT'S WELL TO ELECTN SEASON, AND WE'RE ALL LOOKG AT THE NDIDAT FOR HOW THEY WILL ADDRS LGBTQ ISSU. COUNTER TO THE GOP ONTNNERS, BOTH DEMOCRATIC NDIDAT ARE STNCH ALLI. WE ENUMERATED HILLARY CLTON'S RERD OF LGBTQ SUPPORT, AND NOW S TIME TO FEEL THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BELOW, WE SPOTLIGHT EIGHT TIM BERNIE SANRS STOOD UP FOR LGBTQ {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE SUPPORTED EQUALY BEFORE MOST OF YOU WERE BORN.LRA PATTERSON/CQ ROLL CALL VIA GETTY IMAGREP. BERNIE SANRS, IND-VT., ON OCT. 29, 1990. (PHOTO BY LRA PATTERSON/CQ ROLL CALL VIA GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN SANRS WAS NNG FOR ERNOR OF VERMONT THE EARLY 70S, HE PENNED AN OPEN LETTER THAT POED THE THEN-RADIL IA THAT PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE NTROL OF THEIR BODI, THEIR MDS AND THEIR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"LET ABOLISH ALL LAWS THAT ATTEMPT TO IMPOSE A PARTICULAR BRAND OF MORALY OR "RIGHT" ON PEOPLE. LET'S ABOLISH ALL LAWS ALG WH ABORTN, DGS, SEXUAL BEHAVR (ADULTERY, HOMOSEXUALY, ETC.)."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE ENDORSED A PRI PARA BEFORE MOST PEOPLE KNEW WHAT ONE WAS.DAVID MCNEW/GETTY IMAGEAST LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 23: AN LGBT RIGHTS SUPPORTER RRI A SIGN AT A MPAIGN RALLY FOR DEMOCRATIC PRINTIAL NDIDATE SEN. BERNIE SANRS AT LLN PARK ON MAY 23, 2016 EAST LOS ANGEL, CALIFORNIA. SANRS IS MPAIGNG AHEAD OF THE JUNE 7 CALIFORNIA PRIMARY. (PHOTO BY DAVID MCNEW/GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE FUTURE SENATOR OM VERMONT SUPPORTED A PRI PARA BURLGTON BACK 1983, WAY BEFORE MOST POLICIANS EVEN SPOKE ABOUT LGBTQ {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"IN THE CY OF BURLGTON AND THE STATE OF VERMONT, PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO EXERCISE THEIR LIFTYL," HE STATED. "IT'S AN AMERIN RIGHT, ANYONE'S RIGHT TO HAVE A MARCH... THIS IS A CIVIL LIBERTI QUTN."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE KNOWS THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME.CAIAIMAGE/HIMALAYAN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SOME POLICIANS HAVE FLIP-FLOPPED, BUT SANRS HAS BEEN STEADFAST HIS SUPPORT: AS MAYOR OF BURLGTON THE 1980S, HE IMPLEMENTED AN ORDANCE THAT BANNED ANTI-GAY HOG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"IT IS MY VERY STRONG VIEW THAT A SOCIETY WHICH PROCLAIMS HUMAN EEDOM AS S GOAL, AS THE UNED STAT DO, MT WORK UNCEASGLY TO END DISCRIMATN AGAST ALL PEOPLE," HE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I AM HAPPY TO SAY THAT THIS PAST YEAR, BURLGTON, WE HAVE MA SOME IMPORTANT PROGRS BY ADOPTG AN ORDANCE WHICH PROHIBS DISCRIMATN HOG. THIS LAW WILL GIVE LEGAL PROTECTN NOT ONLY TO WELFARE RECIPIENTS, AND FAI WH CHILDREN, THE ELRLY AND THE HANDIPPED — BUT TO THE GAY MUNY AS WELL."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE SUPPORTS THE EQUALY ACT.ALEX WONG/GETTY IMAGWASHINGTON, DC - JULY 23: FLANKED BY NGRSNAL MEMBERS, U.S. SEN. SENATOR JEFEY MERKLEY (D-OR) (C) SPEAKS DURG A NEWS NFERENCE ON LGBT DISCRIMATN JULY 23, 2015 ON CAPOL HILL WASHGTON, DC. THE NEWS NFERENCE WAS TO TRODUCE THE EQUALY ACT OF 2015. (PHOTO BY ALEX WONG/GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YOU N STILL BE FIRED SIMPLY FOR BEG GAY OR TRANS 27 STAT, BUT BERNIE IS A -SPONSOR OF THE EQUALY ACT, WHICH WOULD AMEND THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964 TO BAN DISCRIMATN BASED ON GENR INTY OR SEXUAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AND IF ELECTED PRINT, HE SAYS HE'D HAPPILY SIGN TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"WE’VE GOT TO END LGBTQ DISCRIMATN THE WORKPLACE. VERMONT DID THIS 22 YEARS AGO WHEN PASSED ONE OF THE FIRST STATE LAWS THE UNTRY PROTECTG LBIAN AND GAY WORKERS. CONGRS SHOULD HAVE ACTED LONG AGO, BUT REPUBLINS HAVE BLOCKED ACTN."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE ASKED AND HE TOLD.CAMROCKER/GETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SANRS OPPOSED PRINT CLTON'S DON'T ASK DON'T TELL POLICY, WHICH PUT GAY SERVICE MEMBERS A KD OF LIMBO. IN A 1995 BATE, HE LLED OUT AN OPPONENT FOR SAYG HE DIDN'T WANT "HOMOS THE ARY."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"WAS THE GENTLEMAN REFERRG TO THE MANY THOANDS AND THOANDS OF GAY PEOPLE WHO HAVE PUT THEIR LIV ON THE LE FOR UNTLS WARS FENDG THIS UNTRY? IS THAT THE GROUP OF PEOPLE THE GENTLEMAN WAS REFERRG TO?" HE ASKED. "YOU HAVE SULTED THOANDS OF MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE PUT THEIR LIV ON THE LE!"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE VOTED AGAST THE DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE ACT.STT J. FERRELL/CONGRSNAL QUARTERLY/GETTY IMAGUNITED STATES - APRIL 10: BERBARD SANRS, I-VT., DURG NSIRATN OF MTEE PROCR TO BE FOLLOWED VTIGATNS TO ALLEGATNS OF MPAIGN FANCE IRREGULARI, CLUDG HANDLG DOCUMENTS. (PHOTO BY STT J. FERRELL/CONGRSNAL QUARTERLY/GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}UNLIKE SOME DEMOCRATS, SANRS DIDN'T HAVE TO "EVOLVE" ON THE EEDOM TO MARRY: HE WAS ONE OF THE FEW NGRSMAN TO OPPOSE DOMA BACK 1996. "THAT WAS A TOUGH VOTE," HE ADMTED. "NOT TOO MANY PEOPLE VOTED AGAST , BUT I DID."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 2011, HE LLED ON BARACK OBAMA TO SUPPORT MARRIAGE EQUALY—SOMETHG THE PRINT DID THE VERY NEXT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE ADVOT FOR THE TRANSGENR MUNY.DüNZL\ULLSTE BILD VIA GETTY IMAG(GERMANY OUT) BERNIE SANRS HOLDG A SPEECH AT A RALLY SAN DIEGO. (PHOTO BY DüNZLULLSTE BILD VIA GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"IN MANY STAT, IS LEGAL TO NY SOMEONE HOG FOR BEG TRANSGENR," SANRS STATED. "THAT IS WRONG AND MT END."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN ADDN, SENATOR SANRS SUPPORTS REQUIRG POLICE PARTMENTS NATNWI TO ADOPT POLICI ENSURG FAIRER TERACTNS WH TRANSGENR PEOPLE, PECIALLY TRANSGENR WOMEN OF LOR, WHO ARE OFTEN WRONGLY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE WANTS TO PROTECT SAME-SEX FAI.DüNZL\ULLSTE BILD VIA GETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 1993, SANRS VOTED AGAST AN AMENDMENT THAT WOULD BAN SAME-SEX UPL WASHGTON, DC, OM ADOPTG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MORE RECENTLY, HE'S BACKED THE EVERY CHILD DERV A FAY ACT (ECDFA), WHICH PROHIBS CHILD-WELFARE AGENCI RECEIVG FERAL AID OM DISCRIMATG AGAST ANY POTENTIAL FOSTER OR ADOPTIVE FAY ON THE BASIS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATN, GENR INTY, OR MARAL STAT. IN ADDN, ECDFA PREVENTS DISCRIMATN AGAST ANY FOSTER YOUTH BEE OF THEIR SEXUAL ORIENTATN OR GENR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}MARRIAGE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

“Was the gentleman referrg to the many thoands and thoands of gay people who have put their liv on the le untls wars fendg this untry? — As Senator Bernie Sanrs tri to distguish himself om Hillary Rodham Clton and rally his progrsive base, one issue where he has claimed a clear advantage is the long battle over gay Sanrs has highlighted his opposn to the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which nied feral regnn to same-sex marriag, sayg he thought upl should be able to “get married regardls of their sexual orientatn. ” In a recent terview, he said that “whout tootg my own horn, ” his opposn to the act, which was signed by Print Bill Clton, “means that somebody has got to take learship, ” and he told Gail Colls, a lumnist for The New York Tim: “I’m not evolvg when to gay rights.

”But on his home turf Vermont, the first state to regnize civil unns and a trailblazer same-sex marriage rights, gay rights advot say Mr. Sanrs was ls than a lear, and not entirely prent, on the Sanrs, who first publicly endorsed gay marriage 2009, exprsed varyg levels of support for gay rights as he rose om the mayor of liberal Burlgton to a ngrsman and then a senator wh statewi support among more socially nservative nstuenci such as hunters, blue-llar workers and olr Sanrs’s modulatn on the issue, those who have watched his reer say, is a reflectn of both his sgle-md foc on enomic equaly and his ftns as a polician, a si of him that ns unter to his reputatn for iologil pury and unpromisg his explanatn for the vote that he holds up as evince of his forward thkg has evolved. “In the early years, Bernie was not an outspoken advote on the issu to the gree he is now, ” said Keh Goslant, a proment gay rights activist Sanrs first me across gay people as a young boy growg up a Brooklyn buildg where the supertennt was a stocky Argente who lived a first-floor apartment wh an eccentric Broadway Goldman/Associated Prs“Clearly the gayt uple the history of the world, ” Mr.

BERNIE SANRS STOOD UP FOR GAY SOLDIERS — 16 YEARS BEFORE "DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL" END

”By the time he beme mayor of Burlgton 1981, after years as a socialist active radil leftist polics, he had bee a reliable ally to gay activists. Sanrs approved a rolutn proclaimg June 25 to be Gay Pri Day, wrg, “In a ee society we mt all be mted to the mutual rpect of each others liftyl. ”In 1985, he ma another proclamatn and sent his good tidgs to anizers of a gay pri para, potg out that an ordance Burlgton had passed prohibg discrimatn hog would benef “the gay muny as well.

BERNIE SANRS BLASTS CLTON RERD ON GAY RIGHTS, KEYSTONE, FREE TRA

Sanrs had told him that he might not be the lead sponsor of bills they advoted, but that he would sign state legislators who were promotg gay rights issu at the time were more cril.

Sanrs spoke out agast the Clton admistratn’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, which ntued the ary’s ban on gay men and lbians but let them serve if they kept their sexual orientatn secret.