In February, 2007, a group of 35 co-sponsors introduced H.0275, "An Act to Protect Religious Freedom and Promote Equality in Civil Marriage" in the Vermont House of Representatives. Ten Senators introduced the same bill, S.80, in the Vermont Senate.
This bill would ensure that same-sex couples have a legal right to a civil marriage license, and would also ensure that clergy and faith communities that do not want to perform same-sex marriage services could not be required to do so.
Learn answers to frequently asked questions about the bill.
Although we did not anticipate a vote on H.0275 and S.80, we were encouraged by the leadership of House Speaker Gaye Symington and Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin who formed the Vermont Commission on Family Recognition and Protection to study same-sex marriage in Vermont.
The Commission consists of 11 members and is chaired by Tom Little of Shelburne, an attorney and a former member of the Vermont House. The Commission held 8 hearings around the state in the fall of 2007 through February of 2008 to provide Vermonters an opportunity to have their say on the issue. It will provide a report to the Legislature about what it heard from Vermonters in April 2008. To read more you can go to our Commission page.