Out In The Mountains : News - Civil Unions Bill Passes

Vermont has become the first state to give gay and lesbian couples virtually all of the rights and benefits of marriage. A 79-68 vote in the House of Representatives on April 25 concurred with the changes made to it by the Senate and sent it to the governor’s desk to become law.

Opponents of the legislation made one final attempt to derail it by proposing a delay in the vote. The motion made by Rep. George Schiavone, R-Shelburne, would have stalled the final vote until November 30, 2000. He said it would give Vermonters a chance to speak through their votes in the elections this fall. Others said it was merely an attempt to kill the bill.

Nancy Sheltra, R-Derby, another vocal opponent of civil unions, asked fellow lawmakers, “Why would you encourage anal sex, sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS among a part of our society?” as more than a dozen legislators showed their disapproval of her remarks by leaving the chamber. “Have you done the research?” she said looking directly across the chamber at Rep. Bill Lippert.

Lippert, D-Hinesburg, stood a few minutes later to respond. “I most certainly have done the research,” he said, pointing out his position as the only openly gay member of the state’s legislature. “We are not a burden, or sinful, or unnatural,” he told his colleagues. “We are not even the ‘small number’ we keep hearing about.” He said the bill was important not only to gay and lesbian couples, but their families, friends, and coworkers who care about them. “We are passing a bill that is about rights, love, commitment, social justice·and family,” he concluded.

In response to repeated claims by opponents that the legislation would undermine so-called traditional marriage, Rep. Karen Kitzmiller, D-Montpelier, asked for even one example of how her 25-year marriage to her husband would be hurt by recognizing gay and lesbian couples as viable family units.

The plaintiffs from the Baker v. State case that started the legislative ball were in the well of the House as the role call vote was taken. As they waited for the official announcement of the vote results, Stacey Jolles turned to her partner, Nina Beck, and asked with a grin, “Will you CU me?” Holding their son, five-month-old Seth, Beck replied, “Yes, I’ll CU you.”

Holly Putterbaugh and Lois Farnham, two of the plaintiffs in the Baker case, were on hand for the final vote in the House of Representatives. photo: Barbara Dozetos

Heeding the warnings against a reaction to the results of the vote, the filled-to-capacity chamber was nearly silent as House Speaker Michael Obujowski, D-Rockingham, announced, “You have passed bill H.847.” Even after a lunch recess was called, the crowd of supporters of the bill reacted with tears, hugs, and smiles rather than cheers.

“We look forward to working with people on both sides of this issue,” said attorney Susan Murray, “to help bridge the gap and bring understanding to all Vermonters about this bill.”

“It’s really a breathtaking step forward for gay people and their families,’’ said Mary Bonauto of Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders, co-counsel with Murray and Beth Robinson for the plaintiffs in the Baker case. “It provides all sorts of protections that did not exist yesterday.’’

Rep. Tom Little (r), House Judiciary Committee chair, confers with Sen. Dick Sears, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. photo: Barbara Dozetos

Contrary to statements of many opponents of the bill, civil unions are not marriage. The federal government would not recognize couples who obtain civil unions in Vermont. Social Security, federal taxes, immigration, and other benefits dependent up national laws would still be unavailable to them. Civil unions, unlike marriage, would not be portable, so they would probably not be recognized by other states.

However, when it takes effect on July 1, 2000, the bill will give gay and lesbian couples hundreds of rights and benefits the state’s laws now bestow upon married couples. It also assigns responsibilities such as child support and assumption of a partner’s debt. Dissolution of civil unions will be handled by family courts in a system parallel to divorces for married couples.