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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.
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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THE ROAD TO MARRIAGE IN VERMONT:
Want to know more about how Vermonters got to where they are today? These were the key steps:
- 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.
- In 2007, a marriage equality bill was introduced into the state legislature, but was left pending at the end of the year.
- From July 2007 to April 2008, the state conducted a Commission on Family Recognition and Protection with 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.
- 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.
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THE NUMBERS: POLLING & STATISTICS:
Majority of Vermonters Support Freedom to Marry
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PUBLICATIONS:
Study says marriage equality good for Vermont economy
A new research study predicts that marriage equality in Vermont would have a positive impact on the state economy, generating $31 million in new spending over the next three years. This new spending will generate 700 new jobs and an additional $3.3 million in state tax revenues.
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.
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NEWS:
View news about the fight for the freedom to marry in Vermont.
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MULTIMEDIA:
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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.
