Vermont Freedom to Marry

Maine voters can restore freedom to marry in November!

 

Maine's Freedom to Marry Coalition announced today that it will ask Maine voters to support marriage equality for same-sex couples on a statewide ballot this November.

After two years of field organizing, signature gathering, outreach and public education, recent polls show that 54% of Mainers support allowing same-sex couples the freedom to marry. Also, volunteers collected 100,000 signatures (far more than the 57,000 needed to qualify for the ballot) from supporters throughout Maine, which indicates enthusiastic support for the fair and equal treatment of same-sex couples and their families. Mainers will vote on the following law:

An Act to Allow Marriage Licenses for Same-Sex Couples and Protect Religious Freedom

With a strong Coalition that includes EqualityMaine, the ACLU of Maine, EngageMaine, the Maine Women's Lobby and Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, the work to educate and activate Mainers in support of equality will continue over the next several months. VFM will provide you with updates and actions that you can take to help Maine secure equal marriage rights for same-sex couples!!

For now, check out Equality Maine's website for more information.

Honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King

 

In a speech at the 2003 Creating Change Conference, Coretta Scott King said:

 

"I still hear people say that I should not be talking about the

rights of lesbian and gay people. . .  But I hasten to remind them that Martin Luther King Jr. said, 'Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.' I appeal to ever

yone who believes in Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream, to make room at the table of brotherhood and sisterhood for lesbian and gay people."

As we honor and celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. today, we can also take time to think about how each of us can carry on his legacy, as Mrs. King did, by fighting for the freedom to marry.

"The time is always right to do the right thing," Dr. King said.

In 2012, the time is right for us to support marriage equality efforts in states like New Jersey and Washington, to speak out against attempts to repeal equality in New Hampshire and proposed anti-LGBT constitutional amendments in states like Minnesota and North Carolina. The time is right to work with our supportive Vermont Senate and Congressional leaders to pass the Respect for Marriage Act, which would repeal the discriminatory "defense of marriage act" (DOMA) and give the marriages of same-sex couples in Vermont and elsewhere the federal recognition they deserve.

Though it sometimes seems as if full federal marriage equality is a distant dream, Dr. King's words remind us:

"The arc of history is long, but it bends toward justice."

Best wishes on this Martin Luther King Day from Vermont Freedom to Marry.

See you Wednesday in Williston, Montpelier, White River Junction, & Brattleboro!

 

Happy New Year!

Vermont Freedom to Marry kicks it off with a FREE workshop, "Legal and Financial Planning Strategies for Same-Sex Couples and LGBTQ Individuals." Get your questions answered by professionals with extensive legal and accounting expertise, who support our movement to achieve full equality.

VIEW AND PRINT THE WORKSHOP FLYER HERE.

Twelve years ago today Vermont made history

 

Twelve years ago today, the Vermont Supreme Court handed down its decision in the lawsuit Baker v. State, a groundbreaking decision with mixed implications.

On the one hand, "Baker" determined that same-sex couples had the constitutional right to the same benefits and protections as married heterosexual couples; on the other hand, it did not determine that same-sex couples had the constitutional right to receive those benefits through civil marriage.

Instead, the court called for the Vermont Legislature to decide how the state would confer the benefits and protections of marriage on same-sex couples.

In response, and after a divisive statewide debate, the legislature created the Civil Union law in 2000 signed by then-Governor Howard Dean. Vermont Freedom to Marry supported the law, recognizing that it was a step in the right direction, while maintaining that it fell short of full equality. On July 1, 2000 at midnight, the state's first Civil Union was held at the Brattleboro Town Clerk's office.

Take four steps for the New Year!

 

Take four steps today to get a jump-start on the New Year and your legal and financial planning!

1. Mark your calendar: If you haven't already, be sure to mark your calendar and spread the word about our FREE workshop: "Legal and Financial Planning Strategies for Same-Sex Couples and LGBTQ Individuals."