MIKE LAWLOR NOW OPENLY GAY
November 2nd, 2006 by Brian
Lawlor’s record the only issue, many say
By Gregory B. Hladky, Capitol Bureau Chief
11/02/2006
State Rep. Michael Lawlor of East Haven says he’s never tried to conceal that he’s gay from anyone who asked, but he’s also never thought it necessary to declare it to the world.
“I’ve never personally made a big deal about it,” Lawlor said in an interview Wednesday. “Being gay or straight is not a big deal today in Connecticut.”
Until this week, however, Lawlor had not openly acknowledged in a Connecticut newspaper that he was gay. That was reported in the Wednesday editions of the Stamford Advocate in a story about large amounts of campaign contributions being made by groups on either side of the gay marriage issue.
“They asked if I was gay and I said ‘yes,'” Lawlor said. “I wasn’t going to lie about it. … I’ve never hid it from anybody who wanted to know.”
Lawlor, 49, is a Democrat now seeking re-election to his 11th term representing East Haven’s 99th House District. He also is co-chairman of the legislature’s Judiciary Committee and a leading advocate on issues such as civil unions, gay marriage, gun control and sentencing reform.
As such, Lawlor has become a prime target in recent elections for conservative and right-wing activists and groups. Lawlor said East Haven voters have always rejected conservative campaign efforts against him, which often sought to define him by his support for gay rights issues.
However, Lawlor said he is concerned about his hometown newspaper, the New Haven Register, running a story on his sexual orientation a few days before an election. “I don’t understand what all the drama is about, to tell you the truth,” he said. Lawlor said his personal life isn’t relevant to stands he takes on policy issues.
Local East Haven political officials and top legislative leaders said Wednesday they don’t believe Lawlor’s sexual orientation will impact his status in the legislature or be an issue in Tuesday’s election.
“I don’t think anybody’s going to be shocked or surprised,” said Marilyn Vitale, an East Haven Democrat and Board of Education member.
Lawlor’s opponent in the 99th District race, Republican Town Council member Daniel J. McCann, said Lawlor’s sexuality is “absolutely not … an issue in the campaign.”
“I do not condone making any issue of anyone’s sexuality,” McCann said. “I hope it doesn’t become a political football because this campaign is about the issues.”
Lawlor’s sexuality doesn’t matter to the mayor, either.
“I think people care more about his voting record than they care about his personal life,” said East Haven Republican Mayor Joseph Maturo Jr., who has not worked closely with Lawlor and has sometimes clashed with him on issues.
State House Minority Leader Robert M. Ward, a North Branford Republican whose district includes part of East Haven, said, “I don’t think it matters politically. … I don’t think it will change anybody’s relationship with him in the legislature.”
Lawlor’s co-chairman on the judiciary committee is state Sen. Andrew McDonald, D-Stamford, who is one of the General Assembly’s handful of openly gay lawmakers.
McDonald and Lawlor were key players in the assembly’s passage of civil union legislation this year that offers gay and lesbian couples virtually all the legal rights available to married couples.
“It seems incredibly unfair,” McDonald said Wednesday of focus on Lawlor’s private life so near an election. He said he fears the publicity could leave “a lasting impression on voters just before they go to the polls.” “Mike Lawlor is one of the most decent, honorable and hard-working legislators in the General Assembly,” McDonald said, adding he hopes East Haven voters make their decision Tuesday on Lawlor’s “lifelong contributions to his hometown.””People respect Mike for who he is,” said state House Speaker James A. Amann, D-Milford. “I don’t think it will make any difference-I know it won’t for me.”
