Out In The Mountains : News - VT Supreme Court Reaction: National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

At the Decision Day gathering at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Burlington, lil Venner of the Lake Champlain Chapter of PFLAG spoke emotionally of her pride in being considered a part of the community and the joy she was feeling as a result of the decision. Photo: Max Stroud

Dec. 20, 1999 - Today’s historic decision by the Vermont Supreme Court that the state must provide the benefits of marriage to same-sex couples is a ground-breaking ruling that represents a seminal shift in the way gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered families forever will be viewed.

“The court’s decision is unique in that it commands that the state give same-sex couples every benefit and protection that it currently provides to married couples,” said Paula Ettelbrick, attorney and Family Policy Director at the NGLTF Policy Institute. “The decision is a significant step forward for our community and makes Vermont the second state Supreme Court to rule that the Constitution protects our relationships.

“However, by stopping short of fully recognizing the freedom to marry, the court has opened the door to complete equality but has not constitutionally guaranteed it. Now the battle progresses to the Vermont Legislature,” Ettelbrick continued. “We have the opportunity as a community to convince lawmakers to provide the full badge of citizenship by recognizing the freedom to marry.”

Ettelbrick noted that Vermont is a logical state to become the first to recognize same-sex civil marriage. It was the first state to offer domestic partner benefits to state workers, one of the first states to recognize second-parent adoptions and one of the first states to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Ettelbrick praised the work of the Vermont Freedom to Marry Task Force, Boston-based Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders and attorneys Mary Bonauto and Beth Robinson. She also praised the individual plaintiffs in the case - Holly Puterbaugh and Lois Farnham, Stan Baker and Peter Harrigan, and Nina Beck and Stacy Jolles. “These brave individuals have opened the door to fairness, freedom and equality,” Ettelbrick said. “The words, Îliberty and justice for all’ have never rung with such clarity and truth.”

But Ettebrick warned that Vermont’s landmark court decision may now fall squarely within the crosshairs of religious extremists who will step up efforts to demonize the Supreme Court and denigrate GLBT family values. “We expect a backlash and will be prepared to protect the safety and sanctity of GLBT families on the streets, in the courts and in the Vermont Legislature,” Ettelbrick said. “We will work arm in arm with members of the Federation of LGBT Statewide Political Organizations in Vermont and throughout New England and in neighboring New York, where the backlash might be most acutely and immediately felt.”