One year after Vermont became the first state in the nation to legally recognize non-heterosexual couples, the effects of the law have not been so clear. Correspondent Chris Bracken reports.
It's been over a year since Vermont's civil unions law was enacted and although the uproar that followed has begun to fade, the effects of the landmark law are not yet clear....
Vermont passed the nation's first law allowing same sex couples to enjoy the same legal benefits as married couples.
After Gov. Howard Dean SIGN THE BILL INTO LAW, a movement called Take Back Vermont SPRUNG UP.
ITS purpose: replacE THOSE legislators who had voted in favor of civil unions.
Although thAT movement scored significant victories in races for STATE House seats last November, opponents of CIVIL UNIONS HAVE failed to reverse oR AMEND THE LAW.
AND Jack Anderson, a Democrat from Woodstock says that is unlikely to change in the upcoming legislative session.
...ANDERSON........ (?I THINK EVERYONE IS AWARE??.)
THE BAKER DECISION WAS THE STATE SUPREME COURT RULING THAT SAME SEX COUPLES HAD THE SAME RIGHTS AS MARRIED COULPLES.
Since the law went into effect July 1, 2000, LOCAL TOWN CLERKS HAVE ISSUED SOME 2,500 civil unions CERTIFICATES.
AND THE process is fairly easy..,?AND CHEAP ?.1O DOLLARS.
Janis who asked that HER last name not be used WAS joined in a civil union last year,
.......JANIS.........
Most of the couples joined have come from outside Vermont.
BUT DESPITE THAT INFLUX OF VISITORS, Sue Cruthers of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce says IT?S NOT YET CLEAR WHETHER the law has an impact on THE state?S ECONOMY.
.......VTCofC......
WILLIE DOCTO, however, BELIVES HIS BUSINESS HAS clearly benefited from Vermont's new law.
HE owns the Moose Meadow Lodge in Waterbury.
.....DOCTO......(IN 1999 WHICH WAS OUR??.)
The law has also attracted entrepreneurS who see opportunity in the law. Derek Pitstic move to Vermont from California and FIVE MONTHS AGO opened the Timber Home Inn in Stowe.
He is marketing his inn as a place for couples to hold their civil union ceremonies.
......PISTIC......(IN THAT SHORT TIME ?..)
Pitstic also says that he's seen a steady increase in the number of guests attending civil union services. THOSE FRIENDS AND FAMILY, PISTSTIC says will ALSO have a positive impact on other businesses in the area.
Vermont may soon not be the only place where civil unions are legal. LAWMAKERS in five other states have PROPOSED LEGISLATION modeled after Vermont's law.
But for now, Vermont remains the only state where same sex couples can bE legally joined.
AND STEPHANIE, WHO ENTERED INTO CIVIL UNION WITH JANIS, IS PROUD TO BE ONE OF THE FIRST.
...STEPH. ?..THE FIRST IN THE COUNTRY.)
........for NHPR..............
