In Vermont “A Historic Victory” Replaced, Finally, With True Equality
Vermont made history in 2000 as the first state in the U.S. to provide legal recognition for same-sex couples with the nation’s first civil union law.
That same year we published “Civil Unions: A Historic Victory,” our first publication explaining state-based legal relationship rights for lesbian and gay couples. VT same-sex couples experienced the joy of being the first couples in the U.S. to have access to all the rights, benefits and obligations that are given to married couples, but were also the first to experience the discrimination same-sex couples face both at the federal level, because of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), and at the state level, because most other states did and still do not recognize civil unions.
Over the years, we’ve been able to add several other publications on this topic, as same-sex couples became able to marry in Massachusetts, and enter into civil unions - and now marriage - in Connecticut and New Hampshire. The seed of equality that started in VT ten years ago is flowering across New England. Hopefully in November, Maine will also be added to the states that permit same-sex couples to marry.
VT made history again this spring when it became the first state to win full marriage equality through the Legislature.
And so today, as same-sex couples begin marrying in VT, we are thrilled to be able to retire “A Historic Victory” and replace it with the latest in our growing series of “How to Get Married” publications - “How to Get Married in Vermont.”
Congratulations to all the soon-to-be newlyweds!
P.S. Although VT will no longer issue civil union licenses, it will continue to provide full recognition both to existing VT civil unions and civil unions from other states. If you have any questions about civil unions or marrying in VT, contact GLAD’s Legal InfoLine at 800-455-GLAD (4523).
A Special Note
It’s taken a lot of hard work by a lot of people to get to this place in VT. GLAD commends and congratulates VT Freedom to Marry and its Co-founder Beth Robinson (who served as Mary Bonauto’s co-counsel in the historic Baker case that led to the civil union law) on this exciting day.
But the work doesn’t stop with the winning of marriage rights. A special call-out is due today to the students of Montpelier High School who have found a powerful and positive way to respond to hate. Visit Westboro Baptist Church Hates, Montpelier High School Donates on Facebook to read about their creative answer to anti-gay protests at their school today by the infamous organization. Because of these students’ efforts, GLAD has received over $3,000 in donations which will support the printing and distribution of “How to Get Married in Vermont” and our other legal rights publications. Thank you!