Vermont
Following Baker v. Vermont, in which three same-sex couples sued for marriage rights, in 1999, Vermont's Supreme Court ordered its legislature to pass a law that would eradicate legal inequality between same-sex and different-sex couples. In 2000, the legislature responded with the historic (if only partial) breakthrough of civil unions. At first, the civil unions law had some strong opposition; some of its backers failed to be reelected to the state legislature. But the ground has shifted dramatically in the direction of equality in Vermont. In 2004, Democrats retook the Vermont House by a substantial margin. By 2006, Democratic, Progressive, and Democratic-leaning Independents made up 2/3 of Vermont's House and Senate. In 2007, a marriage equality bill was introduced into the state legislature.
From July 2007 to April 2008, the state conducted a Commission on Family Recognition and Protectionwith hearings throughout the state in order to review and evaluate Vermont's laws relating to the recognition and protection of same-sex couples and the families. The Commission published their report on April 21, 2008 and found that civil unions are indeed falling short of the promise of fairness and equality. The legislature is expected to address the failing law in the 2009 legislative session.
FROM EVAN WOLFSON:
"Marriage Makes a Word of
Difference"
Originally published by
Portland Mercury
June 14, 2007
By Evan Wolfson
Evan Wolfson answers the question so often asked of same-sex
couples wanting to end their exclusion from marriage, "Why
can't you just call it something else?," by explaining how
the "clarity, security, and dignity [of the word marriage] is
precious and irreplaceable."
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WHERE YOU CAN GO TO GET INVOLVED OR LEARN MORE:
Vermont Freedom to Marry
A coalition of individuals and associations in Vermont who support the freedom for same-sex couples to enter into civil marriages. Their aim is to educate Vermonters regarding the issues surrounding the freedom to marry. And because "marriage is a basic human right and an individual choice."
Equality Vermont
Through social outreach, educational opportunities and political action, Equality VT strives to promote civil rights, personal empowerment and social acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Vermonters.
Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders: Vermont
Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) is New England's leading legal rights organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation, HIV status and gender identity and expression.
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LEGISLATIVE STATUS IN VERMONT:
Your Community—Vermont
Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
HRC presents resources, news, and the current marriage and
relationship recognition laws in each state.
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THE NUMBERS: POLLING & STATISTICS:
Vermonters’ support for ending the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage tops the opposition by a 20-point margin (57% to 36%). [ORC Macro International, February 2008]
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PUBLICATIONS:
Report of the Vermont Commission on Family Recognition and Protection
The Vermont Commission on Family Recognition and Protection (the "Commission") reviews and evaluates Vermont's laws relating to the recognition and protection of same-sex couples and the families they form. Civil unions are found to not provide the fairness and equality they were intended to offer same-sex couples and their families.
Vermont Census Snapshot
Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, this report provides demographic and economic information about same-sex couples and same-sex couples raising children in Vermont.
Vermont Freedom to Marry Advocacy Materials
VFTM offers various publications on marriage equality in Vermont.
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NEWS:
Civil unions fall short, but panel neutral on next move
A panel charged with studying Vermont's eight-year experiment with civil unions for same-sex couples found this separate track from marriage fails to provide the equality and fairness promised when the law was passed in 2000.
Majority In VT Support Changing Civil Unions To Marriage
As a state commission prepares its report on whether to amend Vermont's civil union law to end the exclusion from marriage a new poll finds that the majority of people in the state believe gay and lesbian couples should have the freedom to marry. The survey was taken of people attending town meetings across the state. It found that 54% said they support marriage equality while 37% were opposed.
My Turn: Study on traditional marriage benefits flawed
University of Vermont professor Jacqueline S. Weinstock exposes the transparency of the anti-marriage argument: “I am writing to take Dr. Patrick Fagan up on his request to engage him on the data, and on that basis, to challenge his use of the data to argue against extending marriage rights to same-sex couples.”
Vermont panel prepares report on marriage
A legislative committee charged with hearing Vermonters' views on full civil marriage for same-sex couples will release its long-awaited report next month. Recent polls have shown increased support for marriage equality.
Poll: Majority of Vermonters Favor Marriage Equality
A majority of Vermont residents -- 54% -- say they favor marriage equality, according to an unofficial survey taken March 11. The results represent an 8% increase over last year, WPTZ in Montpelier reported Monday.
Commission hears impassioned pleas for freedom to marry
Times Argus
November 20, 2007
Joseph Gainza of Marshfield talked about how straight Vermonters, including him, noticed that the sky did not fall down after the Vermont Legislature legalized civil unions for same-sex couples seven years ago. "The change came and you realized that nothing in your life has changed," said Gainza. "The only difference is that your neighbors have some rights they didn't have. And none of your own rights were taken away in the process."
Panel on marriage opens hearings to overwhelming support for the freedom to marry
Rutland Herald
October 11, 2007
More than 75 people were in the auditorium at Johnson State College and a vast majority of them were in support of extending marriage to gay and lesbian couples. Only two people spoke out against marriage equality. Many speakers gave emotional testimony about falling in love with their partners for the first time and the emotional agony they experience because their unions — which Vermont legalized in 2000 — are not recognized by the federal government, most other states and many institutions and businesses.
Marriage equality good for business in New England
The Washington Post
September 16, 2007
Since the freedom to marry came to Massachusetts in 2004, attendance at Boston's annual Gay Pride Day, a major attraction for visitors, has more than doubled, according to the Massachusetts tourism bureau. Last June, attendance exceeded 100,000, compared with 40,000 three years ago. Although Vermont tourism officials don't tally visitors according to sexual orientation, several innkeepers report a strong rise in their gay clientele since civil unions were legalized in 2000.
OPINION: Social justice tied up in gay rights
Rutland Herald
August 12, 2007
The defining civil rights struggle of this generation involves gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans who live in cities and towns throughout the country, engage in all walks of life, worship in a range of churches, and form families, both with and without children, that are central to our identity and purpose. Once again, questions about the assumptions and regulations surrounding our marriage laws are back on the table. It makes sense. Marriage is a central institution in our society; we know from history that you can't ignore the government's regulation of marriage if you're serious about advancing legal fairness and social justice.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Why marriage is important
Rutland Herald
August 7, 2007
This September my civil union partner and I will celebrate 32 years of our long-term commitment. It would be so much easier to proclaim that we are a married couple, and more understandable, especially to those who live outside of Vermont and the United States. Try traveling to a state that does not recognize civil unions, which is 47 states in the United States. If you think civil unions are good enough, ask a gay friend or family member.
Gay couples learn that civil union isn't the same as marriage
Concord Monitor
May 6, 2007
In the seven years since Vermont became the first state to create civil unions, couples have uncovered countless ways in which their unions differ from non-gay marriage. Because the federal government doesn't acknowledge civil unions, same-sex couples miss out on the federal benefits afforded non-gay married couples. And because many states have conflicting laws, a couple's rights can evaporate when they cross the state line.
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MULTIMEDIA:
VIDEO: Clip of Voices of Vermonters
Voices of Vermonters is a 13 minute video that captures the importance of civil marriage equality for same-sex couples and their families. You will hear from Vermonters around the state who share their personal stories to address the issues surrounding civil marriage equality. It was co-directed by Deb Ellis and Nora Jacobson.
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The Advocate
March 26, 2008
A majority of Vermont residents -- 54% -- say they favor marriage equality, according to an unofficial survey taken March 11. The results represent an 8% increase over last year, WPTZ in Montpelier reported Monday.
Williams Institute
December 2007
Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, this report provides demographic and economic information about same-sex couples and same-sex couples raising children in Vermont.
Voices of Vermonters is a 13 minute video that captures the importance of civil marriage equality for same-sex couples and their families. You will hear from Vermonters around the state who share their personal stories to address the issues surrounding civil marriage equality. It was co-directed by Deb Ellis and Nora Jacobson.
