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 | There was initially a serious division among Vermonters on the topic of civil unions. Many who were opposed posted "Take Back Vermont" signs. Some of those in favor used "Vermont: Keep it Civil" stickers. However, most Vermonters now accept civil unions as a new part of their culture. | ||||||||
| The Democrats, who were strong supporters of civil unions, "have returned to their place of political dominance in the Statehouse." | ||||||||
| There are now five openly gay men in the state's General Assembly. This is an increase from one when civil unions first became available. | ||||||||
| Exit polls in the 2004-FALL elections showed that:
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| Marty Rouse, campaign director of Mass Equality -- a group working to preserve same-sex marriage in Massachusetts said: |
"Vermont led with civil unions but how quickly civil union has become the moderate, conservative position. We're now talking full equality and marriage is full equality. Hopefully, one day, Vermont will get to full equality."
| Rev. Craig Bensen, a pastor and lobbyist who actively opposed civil unions, said: |
"I anticipate that if there were an attempt to do Massachusetts-style marriage that the public would be heavily favored to maintain the status quo."
He was unsuccessful in running for the state Senate as a Republican.
| Steve Kimbell, a lawyer and lobbyist who actively promoted civil unions said: |
"I think there's still a small slice of the population who, for their own personal, religious reasons, can't abide anything to do with gay and lesbian people. [However,] for a growing majority, the fact that life has gone on as usual means it's OK. More and more people are understanding who gay and lesbian people are around them. You can't be mean to people you know. These are people in the fabric of everyday life." 1
Is same-sex marriage next?
Former state representative Tom Little (R) is chairing the Commission on Family Recognition and Protection. They are studying whether marriage in Vermont should be expanded to include loving, committed same-sex couples. Other members of the bipartisan commission include former Gov. Phil Hoff, Johnson State College president Barbara Murphy, former legislators, a quarry owner and an Episcopal priest. They held their first meeting on 2007-AUG-23 and dealt with administrative issues, including the organization of public meetings.
Opponents of same-sex marriage have allegedly decided to boycott the public meetings:
| Stephen Cable, president of Vermont Renewal, said |
"As a result of their actions and refusal to address the issues we have raised, we are asking Vermonters to boycott the hearings and pay no attention to the [commission's] report." 2
| Craig Benson, founder of Take It to the People, promotes a plebiscite on same-sex marriage. He said: |
"This political farce is a waste of taxpayer's time, attention and tax money. This is the left having a dialogue with the far left while everyone else is left out." 2
Other comments:
| Vermont House Speaker Gaye Symington (D) said: |
"I think for many Vermonters the question has been when, not so much as whether, we would eventually recognize same-sex union through marriage. I think many people saw civil unions as a first step." 3
| Governor Jim Douglas (R) said:. |
"I really think it's important for the Legislature to work with me to focus on what is important to everybody in Vermont and that's the cost of living in Vermont." 3
| Senate President Pro Tempore Peter Shumlin (D) now supports marriage equality even though he voted against the year 2000 civil union bill. He said: |
"I think now most Vermonters would acknowledge it hasn't impacted their families in any way, shape or form." 3
The Commission's report is expected to be issued during 2008-APR. No action would be taken on the report until 2009, in order to avoid making same-sex marriage an election issue.
More information:
| About.com has a page of links to information sources about civil
unions in Vermont. See:
http://gonewengland.about.com/
| ||
| VermontCivilUnion.com has a web site designed for the traveler to Vermont. See: http://www.vermontcivilunion.com/ |
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Home > Religious info. > Basic > Marriage > Same-sex marriage > SSM > Vermont > here |
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Home > "Hot" topics > Homosexuality > Same-sex marriage > SSM > Vermont > here |
References:
The following information sources were used to prepare and update the above essay. The hyperlinks are not necessarily still active today.
- Toby Talbot, "Civil Unions become part of Vt. fabric," Earthlink, 2005-JAN-08, at: http://start.earthlink.net/ This article is no longer online.
- "Vermont Panel Considers Marriage Redefinition," CitizenLink, 2007-AUG-24, at: http://www.citizenlink.org/
- "Vermont looks at upgrading civil unions," 2007-JUL-26, at: http://www.gay.com/
Copyright © 2005 to 2007 by Ontario
Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Last updated: 2007-AUG-26
Author: B.A. Robinson
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