By Guy Page
Barre City’s Justice, Equity, Diversity and Belonging (JEDB) Committee on November 13 elected William Toborg as its new chair, a decision that prompted pointed debate among members and onlookers about the role of personal religious beliefs in equity work.
In September, 2022, then-chair Joellen Mulvaney-Stanak and others vociferously demanded Toborg resign from the committee because of his Roman Catholic pro-life beliefs and public expression. Tolerance and inclusion were apparently in short supply as Mulvaney – Stanak – mother of Burlington mayor Emma Mulvaney – Stanak – threatened to hit the mute button every time Toborg spoke if he did not resign.
Toborg did not resign. The city council criticized the chair’s statement but did not force her resignation. Toborg, an active member of Vermont Right to Life and resident of a city with a traditionally strong Roman-Catholic presence, did not resign.
His election to chair this month by the other members of the committee was not without hesitation and misgivings.
The departing chair (leaving for health reasons) urged a co-chair setup, an idea that gained no traction. He said he’s glad the chair does not typically vote, and he and others wondered what items Toborg, as chair, would place on the agenda.
“You know, I have an issue, I’m not part of the committee and I don’t get to vote, but I have an issue with the chair of the committee not recognizing all of the rights of the people who are serving on the committee,” City Councilor Sonya Spaulding said.
“Well, let me just put it right out here,” Toborg responded. “I think she’s referring to the fact that I am a Catholic and hold to the teachings of the Catholic Church.”
During the meeting, Spaulding openly questioned whether the committee should move forward with a vote, citing discomfort with a chair who, she says, conflicts with her rights as a woman. “When there are people on the committee who want to take my rights away as a woman… that’s a problem for me,” Spaulding said, adding that limits on reproductive choice are not simply ‘opinions’ but directly impacts on bodily autonomy.”
Toborg responded by acknowledging that his views are grounded in his Catholic faith. Spaulding argued that invoking religious doctrine to justify restricting others’ rights did not constitute “diversity of thought.”
Toborg countered that Spaulding’s positions also affect others, saying, “Your ideas take away the rights of the unborn.” At that point another member insisted the unborn are not people and have no rights.
Spaulding pressed him: “Which rights of yours are being taken away?”
“The right of women to give birth,” Toborg replied, expressing concern that under state law providers offering abortion-reversal drug treatment could face charges or lose licenses.
When Spaulding again asked what rights he, as an individual “at the top of the hierarchy” had lost, Toborg said the goal was “to make sure that does not happen.”
Committee member Matt Mulligan, who described himself as a baptized Catholic who lived closeted as a gay person for 15 years, said he respects Toborg’s right to express his faith but added, “I refuse to have your beliefs limit my rights.”
Toborg said that as chair he would work towards all four of the JEDB, especially the Belonging part. Despite the tensions, the committee proceeded, and Toborg was elected chair.
The board is comprised of Mulligan, Toborg, Sean Warner, Gregory Quetel and Carlos Pereira.