VT: Editorial--A new reality

Link: Rutland Herald

The atmosphere surrounding the issue of gay marriage has changed substantially since the furor that gripped the state eight years ago. That was when the Vermont Legislature became the first in the nation to institute civil unions for gay and lesbian couples.

A commission appointed by the Legislature last year to study the issue of gay marriage has presented its report amid a resounding absence of controversy. The commission held a series of meetings around the state to hear all sides of the issue, but mostly what they heard were pleas by Vermonters to enact full marriage equality by moving beyond civil unions to civil marriage.

Two groups opposed to gay marriage decided at the outset to boycott the hearings, but their absence could not account for the lack of interest by opponents. Eight years ago no one could have silenced the opposition by calling for a boycott. Back then the opposition was deep and broad and determined to be heard.

Eight years later the opposition is still there, and in some quarters it is deeply felt, but it was not determined to be heard. That is a reality that the commission noticed. Something has happened in the intervening time.

One thing that happened was the cause of marriage equality has advanced elsewhere in the nation, and it is not such a novel or threatening idea. Marriage is now available to gay and lesbian couples in Massachusetts (as well as in Canada and some European nations), and civil unions are a reality in Connecticut, New Jersey, and New Hampshire. In fact, New Hampshire passed a civil unions law last year without a court ruling compelling the legislature to act.

Further, Vermont has lived with civil unions for eight years and has learned two things from the experience. First, honoring homosexual relationships does not hurt heterosexual relationships. Rather than threatening the stability of the family, civil unions extend respect for families to gay and lesbian partners.

Second, civil unions, while furthering the stability of families, remain an unfulfilled promise of equality. The only reason that gay and lesbian couples are denied the full rights of marriage is because of their sexual orientation. The commission heard much testimony about the second-class status of civil unions for those couples who believe that the full rights of marriage are the only way to provide equal rights to all.

The commission did not make a recommendation to the Legislature, though many of its members have expressed sympathy with the idea of gay marriage. The commission took seriously its charge to report on what Vermonters were thinking, rather than pushing their own agenda.

Tom Little, chairman of the commission, was chairman of the House Judiciary Committee when civil unions were adopted, and he learned then that the people's voice can be the most powerful voice of all. By preparing a report reflecting the lessons learned by the people of Vermont over the past eight years, he has demonstrated a new reality for all who wish to look: that marriage equality for gay and lesbian Vermonters is an idea whose time has come.

[jw]