Meet the Plaintiffs, Baker v. Vermont

Lois Farnham and Holly Puterbaugh have lived together in a committed life partnership since October, 1972. Lois, who was born and raised alongside her eleven brothers and sisters on a Vermont farm, worked as a nurse at Fanny Allen Hospital for many years, and later worked as a nurse in several local schools as well as at an Alzheimerís facility. Holly is a math lecturer at the University of Vermont. Both Holly and Lois have been active members of their community for many years, and have served on numerous boards and committees, ranging from the town library board to the PTA. They ran a Christmas tree farm and shop in Milton, Vermont, before relocating to South Burlington. Holly and Lois raised an adopted daughter together.

Stan Baker and Peter Harrigan share a home in Shelburne, Vermont, and have been in a committed relationship since the fall of 1993. Stan has worked extensively with children and families, and is a director at a mental health agency. He is a former Chair of Outright Vermont, a support organization for gay and lesbian youth. Stan has lived in Vermont since 1971, and is a direct descendant of Remember Baker, a lieutenant to Ethan Allen of the Green Mountain Boys. Peter graduated from St. Michael's College in Colchester, Vermont, and is now a drama professor there. He directs and designs theater productions.

Nina Beck, Stacy Jolles live in South Burlington, Vermont. Nina is a physical therapist, and Stacy is a psychologist who works with at-risk youth. They share an interest in martial arts. Nina and Stacy have been together as a couple since 1990. In 1992 they declared their lifetime commitment to one another in a religious wedding ceremony, although that cermony did not confer on them the protections and supports of a legal, civil marriage. In 1995, Nina and Stacy had a son, Noah. When they first sought to legally marry, Stacy and Nina not only wanted the legal protections and supports that come with civil marriage for themselves, but also wanted to marry in order to protect Noah. Tragically, Noah died in August of 1997 of a heart condition, although his memory and indefatigable spirit live on. In November, 1999, Nina and Stacy had a second son, Seth.