Former State Treasurer; Democratic Challenger MA Governor
Protect civil rights of gays; allow civil unions
Shannon supports full and equal rights for gay & lesbian citizens, and believes that committed couples should be able to enter into civil unions and receive full benefits and protections in Massachusetts. She opposes the "defense of marriage" legislation
as well as the constitutional amendment proposals that would forever deny these protections to the families of gay men and women. Shannon believes that recognizing gay and lesbian families will strengthen communities and families.
Supports more AIDS funding; civil unions; gay civil rights
Shannon supports full civil rights for lesbians and gay men. She won passage of a budgetary amendment to restore $2.3M for AIDS funding, providing funding for support and medical services for people who are HIV-positive or have the AIDS virus
and for education, testing, and prevention services. She supports domestic partnership and civil union legislation to give gay and lesbian couples the same privileges and responsibilities that heterosexual couples enjoy.
Source: Campaign web site, ShannonObrien.com, "Issue Briefs"
Feb 16, 2002
