Vermont News
GLAD Files Second Legal Challenge to DOMA
On November 9, 2010 GLAD is filing our second major, multi-plaintiff lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and the government’s denial of protections and responsibilities to married gay and lesbian couples. This new action specifically addresses …
VT Supreme Court Again Affirms Custody for Janet Jenkins
The Vermont Supreme Court has issued a unanimous decision affirming a trial court’s 2009 order giving Janet Jenkins sole physical and legal custody of her daughter Isabella Miller-Jenkins. The Court’s decision can be viewed here.
The court wrote that Vermont “has determined that same-sex …
Spirit of Justice Honoree Beth Robinson is Vermonter of the Year
GLAD’s 2009 Spirit of Justice Honoree Beth Robinson, co-founder of Vermont Freedom to Marry and a lead force behind bringing marriage equality to the state, was named Vermonter of the Year by the Burlington Free Press.
The Free Press invited readers to nominate a resident for Vermonter of the …
Mother Seeks Public Help to Locate Missing Child
Janet Jenkins today appealed to the public for help in locating her daughter, Isabella Miller-Jenkins. In an interstate custody dispute, the child’s other mother failed to transfer custody per court-order and has disappeared with the child.
In November, the Rutland Family Court in Vermont …
ABA Passes Resolution Urging Repeal of DOMA Section 3
The American Bar Association (ABA) House of Delegates voted at its 2009 annual meeting in Chicago last week to pass a resolution calling for Congress to repeal Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which disrespects the legal marriages of same-sex couples for the purposes of federal …
Vermont Becomes Fourth Marriage Equality State
This morning the Vermont House of Representatives voted 100 - 49 to override the Governor’s veto of the marriage equality bill. The Senate passed the override 23 - 5.
This makes Vermont the fourth marriage equality state in the US, and the third in New England. It is also the first state to …
NH House Passes Marriage Equality Bill
The New Hampshire House voted 186-179 today to pass a bill allowing same-sex couples to marry. The bill now moves to the Senate.
Earlier this week, the Vermont Senate passed a similar marriage equality bill 26-4. That bill will now be considered by the Vermont House.
Read more on the New …
Five Years After Goodridge, GLAD Announces “6x12”
Five years ago today, the world changed for the better when the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court issued its decision in GLAD’s marriage equality case, Goodridge v. Department of Public Health. Six months later, same-sex couples started marrying, strengthening families, communities, and the …
Vermont Supreme Court Upholds Visitation for Janet Jenkins and Daughter
Vermont’s highest court issued a ruling on March 14 upholding visitation rights for Janet Jenkins and her five-year-old daughter, Isabella. Isabella’s biological mother, Lisa Miller, Janet’s former civil union spouse, challenged Janet’s parental rights in a case that has been ongoing since the …
Vermont Commission Studying Marriage Equality
Legislators have formed the Vermont Commission on Family Recognition and Protection to study the possibility of bringing full marriage equality to Vermont. The commission held their first meeting on Thursday, August 23, and plans to hold public hearings throughout the state to determine public …