Vermont Freedom to Marry

Another Freedom To Marry Legislative Hero Has Died

Representative Rick Hube, from South Londonderry, died unexpectedly on Monday.  Representative Hube had represented the towns of Jamaica, Londonderry, Stratton, Weston and Winhall since 1999.  He was one of the true heroes of the 2009 struggle for the freedom to marry.Representative Hube had the courage to change -- never an easy thing.   

He had voted against the civil union bill in 2000.  In the intervening years, he thought about how his vote fit with his deep commitment to individual liberty.  And he rethought his position.  As a highly respected member of the Republican caucus, in 2009 he faced unique pressures.  Voting against the freedom to marry would have been the easy thing to do; it's what most people expected of him.  But Representative Hube was determined to do the right thing, regardless of the personal consequence for him.

Representative Hube was a truly conscientious public servant, and we will miss him.  Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones.

Click here to learn more in the Bennington Banner and the Rutland Herald.

Vermont freedom to marry hero dies

Rep. Ira Trombley, a Grand Isle-Chittenden Vermont General Assembly member since 2002, died on Sunday, December 20.  Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones.

Rep. Trombley more than proved his commitment to equality for all Vermonters.  He was unable to participate in much of this past legislative session due to a very serious health condition.

Notwithstanding his medical restrictions, he heard the calls of history and justice, and he mustered every bit of strength he could to be there to ensure that the marriage bill would pass.  On April 3, and again on April 7, 2009, he left his sickbed and traveled to the State House, arriving in a wheelchair to cast his votes, first for the underlying bill, and again several days later for the override.  Without his strength and determination, we could not have done it.  Ira Trombley was a true hero.

Learn more in the Burlington Free Press and the Saint Albans Messenger.

We urge you to write:  Lucy Trombley, 94 Pearl Street, Grand Isle, VT 05458, to let his family know just how much Representative Trombley, and his courage, have meant to all of us.

Washington, D.C. City Council approves marriage equality in 11-2 vote

 Today Washington, D.C.'s City Council voted 11 to 2 to legalize same-sex marriage. Two City Council members voted yes by saying, “I do.”  Washington, D.C. passed a law earlier this year recognizing same-sex marriages legally performed in other states.

Our nation's capital is living up to the promise of our nation in respecting all citizens and families, including same-sex couples.  And what a great way this is to end the political year.

Washington, D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty has promised to sign the freedom to marry legislation into law.  All that remains are 30 legislative days period in which the U.S. House and Senate and President Obama have the prerogative to sign a "disapproval resolution."  Barring this, Mayor Fenty's signature will be the finishing touch on this new day of equality in the capital, where same-sex marriages could begin taking place as early as March 2010.

Senate Vote on NJ Marriage Equality Bill Deferred for Public Hearing

Statement from the the marriage equality bill's lead sponsor, New Jersey Senator Loretta Weinberg:

This afternoon, Senator Ray Lesniak and I requested that Senate President Richard J. Codey hold Senate Bill 1967.  We also requested that Speaker Joseph Roberts Schedule a meeting for the Assembly Judiciary Committee on A2978, popularly known as the Freedom of Religion and Equality in Civil Marriage Act.

In light of the Senate Judiciary Committee's historic passage of S1967, Senator Lesniak and I believe that the public needs another opportunity to engage legislators on this issue.  Moreover, the Senate committee has substantially amended its version to include sweeping, additional protections for religious institutions.   We believe that members of the public need to be afforded an additional opportunity to debate this new provision as well.

Tuesday's Senate hearing was extraordinary.  Hundreds of citizens lined up outside the committee chambers to offer testimony on behalf of, and in opposition to, the proposed legislation.  Under the leadership of Chairman Sarlo, who conducted one of the most thoughtful and fair-minded hearings in which either of us has ever participated, the committee spent seven hours hearing from scores of New Jerseyans.  We had to turn away another 150 witnesses for want of time.  In addition to the committee hearing, thousands of citizens, and dozens of religious and secular organizations, have engaged our members in a thoughtful and productive dialogue on marriage equality.

Accordingly, as sponsors of S1967, we asked Senator Codey to postpone full Senate consideration of the Marriage Equality Act until the Assembly Speaker has an opportunity to review scheduling the Assembly Judiciary Committee for a hearing.

We thank Senator Codey for his leadership.  Marriage equality is a difficult and challenging question for members from both sides of the aisle.  Throughout this debate, he has been balanced and evenhanded in his treatment of all Senators.  For this, he has our deepest gratitude.

Senator Shumlin to New Jersey Legislators: Just Do It!

Vermont's Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin has once again gone all in for the freedom to marry.  In a letter published on a progressive blog in New Jersey, and delivered to New Jersey legislators today, Senator Shumlin implored them:  Just Do It!  Addressing the same fears and misconceptions opponents raised in Vermont, Senator Shumlin was able to draw from our real-life experience to reassure New Jersey legislators that the concerns were not well founded.

1. Read Senator Shumlin's words below, as they appear in the blog bluejersey.com
2. Thank Senator Shumlin for weighing in:  senprespt@leg.state.vt.us

He didn't have to get involved, and we truly appreciate his ongoing commitment to the cause of civil rights.

An Open Letter To The New Jersey Legislature
From Peter Shumlin, Vermont Senate President Pro Tem

Senators,

As you consider a vote to extend the civil marriage laws to include same-sex couples, let me offer my two cents, based on our own experience here in Vermont:  Just Do It!

In April of this year, supermajorities of Vermont's Senate and General Assembly voted to eliminate the discrimination against same-sex couples in our marriage laws.  A majority of Democrats and a majority of Republicans in our Senate voted for the bill.  For some, it was an easy vote; for others, it was a scary vote.  But I can assure you that for everyone who voted for the bill, it was among the proudest acts of their careers.

New Jersey Senate Committee Advances Marriage Bill; Vermont Senator Diane Snelling Testifies

The New Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee members voted by a 7-6 margin to advance a bill to allow same-sex couples to legally marry.  The full Senate is expected to vote later this week.

Vermont's own State Senator Diane Snelling was there to testify at the committee's invitation.  Senator Snelling has been a champion of civil rights for all Vermonters from the get-go. Her traveling to New Jersey to provide testimony today was above and beyond, and we are deeply indebted to Senator Snelling once again.

We urge all our supporters to let Senator Snelling know that we appreciate her generosity.

HERE'S WHAT SENATOR SNELLING HAD TO SAY:

Good Afternoon, for the record, my name is Diane Snelling and I‘m a State Senator from Vermont.

It’s an honor to be here today to testify in favor of Marriage Equality.

I’m a moderate who has served eight years in the Senate as the only Republican in a six seat district, and as one of only seven Republicans in a 30 seat Senate. My standing Committees are, Appropriations, and Natural Resources and Energy. I’ve worked hard to earn a reputation for being non-partisan and have always been elected with strong Democrat and Independent support.

Vermont Freedom to Marry Action Committee and Task Force Join National Counterparts In Pressing For Rapid Passage of ENDA

The Vermont Freedom to Marry Action Committee and Task Force signed on to a joint statement of nearly all of the national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights groups urging Congress to move quickly to pass an inclusive ENDA.  ENDA had been on track for action in the full House before the end of the year, but seems to have gotten off track.  The statement below strongly urges Congress not to back-burner this priority:

LGBT Americans Outraged at Delay in Basic Job Rights

In light of continuing delays in the House of Representatives, we must state clearly and unequivocally: Passing basic job protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people must happen now. At a time when our government is deeply focused on the critical issue of employment, it is inexcusable to delay action on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). Each and every job lost to prejudice based on sexual orientation and gender identity needlessly compounds the unemployment challenges facing our nation. We call on Congress for the immediate passage of ENDA.

Breaking freedom to marry news!

As always, there's a lot going on and much you can do to help:

1. Breaking News Regarding Marriage Bill in New York
2. VPR Documentary on the Freedom to Marry
3. D.C. Council Takes Major Step Toward Equality
4. Help Vermont Fund for Families Support Legislative Allies in 2010!

1. BREAKING NEWS: The New York State Senate votes down freedom to marry bill.

Today the New York Senate voted down a bill to allow same-sex couples to legally marry by a 38-24 margin.  The New York Assembly had previously passed the bill, and Governor Paterson stood ready to sign it.  We're disappointed by the vote, but thank those Senators who joined Governor Paterson in standing up for full civil rights for New York's LGBT citizens.  We commend our counterparts at Empire State Pride Agenda for their longstanding hard work on this and other bills impacting LGBT civil rights. 

For more detailed information, you can visit the web site of the Empire State Pride Agenda.  

2. UPCOMING VPR DOCUMENTARY SPOTLIGHTS FREEDOM TO MARRY

Vermont Public Radio has announced that it will be broadcasting a radio documentary regarding the struggle for the right to marry for same-sex couples throughout New England, with a focus on Vermont.  "States of Marriage" will air on Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 7pm EST and on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 4pm EST.

You can get more information about this upcoming broadcast at the VPR web site.

3. D.C. COUNCIL NEARING FINAL PASSAGE OF MARRIAGE BILL

On Monday, the City Council of Washington, D.C. voted 11 to 2 to pass a bill to allow same-sex couples to legally marry on the same terms as heterosexual couples.  The Council must again approve the bill on "second reading," likely in mid-December, and may be subject to additional amendments at that time.  Then the bill must pass through a 30-day Congressional review period.

This is exciting news!  Although D.C. hasn't yet crossed the finish line, they're darn close.  And for our nation's capital to eliminate the barriers to marriage faced by LGBT people would send a resounding message across the country -- and up and down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House and the Capitol.

Stay tune.  We'll keep you posted.

4. VERMONT FUND FOR FAMILIES NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT

Vermont Fund for Families is committed to supported those legislators who stood by us in 2009.  We need your support so we can stand by our friends.  Please contribute to Vermont Fund for Families!

 Click here to donate to Vermont Fund for Families. 
(Please note: VFFF will not allocate any funds to the Democratic gubernatorial primary.)

For equality,

Beth Robinson
Chair, Vermont Freedom to Marry Action Committee