Twelve years ago today, the Vermont Supreme Court handed down its decision in the lawsuit Baker v. State, a groundbreaking decision with mixed implications.
On the one hand, "Baker" determined that same-sex couples had the constitutional right to the same benefits and protections as married heterosexual couples; on the other hand, it did not determine that same-sex couples had the constitutional right to receive those benefits through civil marriage.
Instead, the court called for the Vermont Legislature to decide how the state would confer the benefits and protections of marriage on same-sex couples.
In response, and after a divisive statewide debate, the legislature created the Civil Union law in 2000 signed by then-Governor Howard Dean. Vermont Freedom to Marry supported the law, recognizing that it was a step in the right direction, while maintaining that it fell short of full equality. On July 1, 2000 at midnight, the state's first Civil Union was held at the Brattleboro Town Clerk's office.
Vermont's Civil Union law was the first of its kind. It both raised the bar for how same-sex couples would be legally recognized in our country and provided a beacon of hope for gays and lesbians throughout the country. Although Vermont Freedom to Marry supported the Civil Union bill, the goal of full equality for same-sex couples in Vermont was unmet.
Through the collective hard work and determination of Vermonters and our supportive Vermont legislators, on April 7, 2009, ten years after the Supreme Court released its Baker decision, we finally accomplished our goal of achieving marriage equality within Vermont when the legislature overrode--by a single vote--Governor Douglas's veto of the marriage bill.
Although we have made great strides in Vermont, leading the country in providing civil rights to our LGBT citizens, the unfair patchwork of protections beyond our state borders leaves all same-sex couples and their families vulnerable. Because of discrimination by the federal government, Vermont same-sex military spouses still experience unequal treatment, as do spouses of federal employees, and bi-national married couples. Every Vermont same-sex couple who files federal taxes must jump through extra hoops to comply with federal law and, in many cases, must pay a financial penalty. *We are committed to our mission until the provisions of discriminatory laws such as the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) are lifted and ALL same-sex couples have the legal right to marry.*
We hope you will join us by making a contribution today.
Your financial commitment will support our ability to be your Vermont resource on LGBT marriage and family issues. It will allow us to continue our work assisting other states in furthering **civil marriage rights and erasing discrimination for same-sex couples. Please donate today.
Mail a check to:
Vermont Freedom to Marry Task Force
8 Oak Street
Essex Junction, VT 05452
Thank you for all that you do and Happy Holidays!
