ARTICLES

Why He Never Calls

Vargas and Drag Queens

By Robert Kumpel

In a call to Assemblyman Juan Vargas' Washington D.C. office on Wednesday October 9, the receptionist confirmed that Vargas was in San Diego for the week. I called his local office requesting an interview. His press secretary asked how long the interview would take and I told her it would take about 10 to 15 minutes. She asked what the nature of the interview would be. When I said it would be about social issues, she asked, "What social issues?" I told her I wanted to ask him about his pro-homosexual and pro-abortion voting record and how he reconciles that with his Catholic faith. After an awkward silence, she said that she would talk to him and get back to me. I told her that I needed to speak to him within three days and asked her to call me if an interview was not possible.

After receiving no response by Friday afternoon, I called back. Vargas' press secretary apologized, saying, "I don't think he's going to be in town." I asked her if she might be able to answer a couple of questions. She abruptly announced, "I have to ask for permission to answer any questions. Let me ask, and I will get back to you." As of press time, there was no return phone call.

A quick look at Vargas' voting record suggests why neither Vargas nor his staff is anxious to answer calls from the Catholic press. Vargas voted in support of the following in the 2000-2001 legislative session or during the current session:

-- AB 25, which creates 13 rights equivalent to marriage for homosexual partners. The bill was signed by Governor Davis October 14, 2001.

-- AB 194, which would have allowed transsexuals to change their birth certificates. This bill was vetoed by Governor Davis on August 6, 2001.

-- AB 1475, a bill that forces provisions from the California Fair Employment and Housing Act upon private religious hospitals. Governor Davis signed the bill on October 14, 2001.

-- AB 1649, known as the "Drag Queen Bill," it would have provided for fining businesses like religious bookstores and non-profit groups like the Boy Scouts as much as $150,000 for refusing to hire transsexuals and cross-dressers. The bill also defined "gender" according to behavior. The bill died on the senate floor.

-- AB 2216, allows "domestic partners" to be treated as spouses by the state in the case of their partner dying without a will. This was signed by Governor Davis on September 10, 2002.

-- AB 1684, funds marital-equivalent bereavement leave and allows family/parental leave to domestic partners of state employees, as well as awarding them spousal-equivalent health benefits. Governor Davis signed the bill on May 13, 2002.

-- AB 2651, would pressure foster parents to accept homosexual behavior in spite of their personal beliefs, create "sensitivity training" for foster parents, provide state-approved counselors to "affirm" the inclinations of "gay" foster children, and recruit homosexuals and transsexuals as foster parents. This bill was vetoed by Governor Davis on October 1, 2002.

-- AB 2777, allows Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Marin counties to use taxpayer money to pay for spousal-equivalent benefits to a homosexual "domestic partner" of a county employee who dies. Governor Davis signed the bill September 4, 2002.

-- SB 225, which forces public and private schools to make special provisions for homosexual, bisexual, and transsexual students playing interscholastic sports. The bill was signed by Governor Davis on October 14, 2001.

-- SB 231, which funds school-based clinics to distribute contraceptives to students as well as refer for abortions without parental consent. Governor Davis signed this bill on October 14, 2001.

-- SB 257, which creates new categories for "hate crimes," prohibits free speech by proscribing any talk against or disagreement with homosexuality as well as enforcing the promotion of homosexuality in public schools, all in the name of "safety." This bill was signed by Governor Davis on October 14, 2001.

-- SB 381, which forces city and county governments to create "human relations commissions" that promote homosexuality. The bill equates sexual behavior with ethnicity. Governor Davis signed the bill on July 16, 2001.

-- SB 780, allows for the punishment of pro-life sidewalk counselors with fines double those given for criminal assault and up to six months in jail. Also authored by Deborah Ortiz, the bill was signed on October 14, 2001.

-- SB 1169, which permits the dispensing of the Morning After abortion pill without a doctor's prescription or parental consent. Governor Davis signed it on October 14, 2001.

-- SB 1575, creates a family exemption for writing a gift into the will of a domestic partner. The bill was signed by Governor Davis on September 9, 2002.

-- SB 1661, mandates that private employers provide "family" disability insurance benefits to domestic partners. Governor Davis signed the bill on September 24, 2002.

(AB 25, AB 194, AB 634, AB1475, AB 1649, SB 225, SB 231, SB 257, SB 381, SB 780 and SB 1169 were all voted on during the 2000-2001 session. AB 1684, AB 2216, AB 2651, AB 2777, SB 1575 and SB 1661 were voted on during the current legislative session.)

To contact Vargas' pro-life, pro-family opponent, Mark W. Fast, call 619-518-9953 or visit his website www.markwfast.com. Volunteers and campaign contributions welcome.

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