Vermont

Vermont was the first state to create civil unions in 2000.  Although not equal to marriage, it was a historic breakthrough at the time.
 
On April 7, 2009, Vermont became the fourth state to uphold the freedom to marry. The Vermont legislature passed a bill ending the exclusion of gay couples from marriage with a 2/3 majority in each chamber, effectively overriding the Governor's veto. Gay couples can now marry in Vermont and state advocates continue to work to protect the freedom to marry for same-sex couples.
 
Status: Marriage
 
Groups Actively Working on Marriage
 
Vermont Freedom to Marry: Vermont's central statewide organization working to protect the freedom to marry  
 

Blog Posts Related to Vermont

Culhane: Should we hate civil unions, or love them?

John Culhane on civil unions: "...[they] may well have been – and may, in some states, even continue to be – politically necessary compromises, way stations of a sort on the route to full marriage equality. But we should continue to point out that there’s plenty in a name."

Voice for Equality: Scott Stringer

Scott Stringer is a New York Democratic politician and the current Borough President of Manhattan. In 2005, he entered the race to succeed C. Virginia Fields as Manhattan Borough President. On September 13, 2005, he won the Democratic primary against 9 other candidates and was later elected in the November general election. He took office as Borough President on January 1, 2006.

In July of 2010, Mr. Stringer and his fiancée, Elyse Buxbaum, announced they would wed in Connecticut in what they described as a protest of New York’s failure to legalize the freedom to marry.

Looking back after a decade of Vermont civil unions

A decade after Vermont's first civil unions, it and four other states—Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire and Iowa, as well as the District of Columbia—have instituted full marriage for same-sex couples, and a Burlington couple say many people view their relationship as "ho-hum."

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Resources Related to Vermont

Study says Marriage Equality Good for Vermont Economy

Study predicts that marriage equality in Vermont will have a positive impact on the state economy, generating $31 million in new spending over the next three years

Vermont Census Snapshot

Demographic and economic information about same-sex couples and same-sex couples raising children in Vermont.

Report of the Vermont Commission on Family Recognition and Protection

The Vermont Commission on Family Recognition and Protection found that civil unions do not provide the fairness and equality they were intended to offer same-sex couples and their families.

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