Out In The Mountains : News

Party Politics

      BURLINGTON - The R.U.1.2? Queer Community Center was packed with people on a recent February evening to hear proponents of the Marriage Equality bill talk up their proposal. The house party event is a staple of organizers who won the bid for equal marriage in Massachusetts and now is being used for the same purpose in Vermont. This particular party was just one in a series of gatherings around the state to get people signed up to work on the issue.
Organizers chatted with the crowd which filled the rooms of R.U.1.2? and then answered one of the questions they most frequently hear: "Why now?"
        "The world has changed dramatically since 2000," said Beth Robinson, chair of the Vermont Freedom to Marry Task Force. Robinson was referring to the year in which the civil union law was passed, when about 40 percent of Vermonters supported the right of same-sex couples to marry. Now, polls show 43% in favor and 11% leaning toward marriage equity. Also, gay and lesbian couples may marry in Massachusetts to the south of us, and in Canada to the north. At the same time, however, 35 states have passed laws denying equal marriage rights to gay couples, and 11 have amended their constitutions to the same effect.
       "We're in the middle of a national movement," Robinson said. "It's important that we keep moving."
       Rep. Mark Larson of Burlington introduced the new Marriage Equality bill to the legislature last month. Larson, who was one of three co-coordinators of the Task Force in 2000, chose to run for office largely because of the marriage issue. He said the issue for him has never been controversial, as it is for many, but is the "right thing to do." As so many states have put discriminatory marriage policies into their laws and constitutions, it's especially important for Vermont to consider this bill now, Larson said. We have the opportunity, and the responsibility to do so, he added. Larson noted that we have restored the majority of legislators who lost elections due to the civil union law, and believes we have the numbers in the statehouse now to pass the Marriage Equality bill.
       Robyn Maguire, field director for Vermont's Task Force, talked about her previous work on the marriage issue in Massachusetts. When the issue came up there, supporters had to build a field campaign quickly because of the strong opposition coming from outside the state. At the onset, marriage supporters could count on only 35 of 200 legislators, she said. But because organizers reached out to all communities in an intensive campaign, they were able to push the legislation through. Every legislator who voted for the equal marriage law later won election, Maguire said.
       The Freedom To Marry Task Force will hold a phone-a-thon March 7th and 9th. Maguire said the campaign needs to build a financial war chest, more volunteers in the Burlington area, signatures on the marriage resolution, and greater connections with clergy of various denominations.
        The possibility of the Marriage Equality bill becoming law is real, Maguire said, "We just gotta do the work."