Your other senator’s offensive comments

I normally don’t write posts like this, but I need to tell you about something very upsetting that happened last Friday May 15 on the Senate floor. You should know about the comments and actions of the Addison District’s other senator, Steven Heffernan. During a debate about H.578, a bill related to penalties for animal cruelty offenses, Heffernan asked shockingly inappropriate questions and made dehumanizing remarks based on horrible stereotypes about transgender people. His comments were so offensive and hurtful that sitting next to him made me sick to my stomach. Watch this video of what he said:

These remarks are just the latest in a string of actions from Heffernan that fly in the face of fundamental human rights and Vermont values. In March, Heffernan walked off the Senate floor and was the only senator who did not vote to support Proposal 4, an Equal Rights Amendment to the Vermont Constitution. 

In April, he made comments related to S.227, a bill about immigration procedures in schools, seeming to support the forced removal of kids from schools by ICE agents. Heffernan has also introduced bills and amendments to undermine or restrict abortion and reproductive rights in Vermont, despite every town in Vermont voting to support the Reproductive Liberty Amendment in 2022.

Steve Heffernan is not representing the values or protecting the rights of his constituents in the Addison District. We cannot let such blatant disregard for human dignity and equal rights continue. 

For the past eight years, I have been a leading voice for reproductive liberty, LGBTQ rights, safe schools, diverse communities, and dignity for all Vermonters. I need your help. 

This November, voters can re-elect Ruth Hardy and elect Hannah Sessions. Make a contribution today to help us defeat Steve Heffernan in November.

We must protect the human rights of all Vermonters. Thank you for your support!