Vermont Recalls Civil Union Debate in Upcoming Legislative Push

Few in Vermont want to go back to the bitter battles over civil unions that accompanied the Millennium.

Late in 1999, Democratic leaders interpreted a State Supreme Court decision as a quick call for legislation.

The sudden hot-button debate sparked strong feelings.

The ensuing 2000 election saw as many as 12 lawmakers lose their seats during the battle.

Dire predictions over how civil unions could harm traditional marriage never came true, although some opponents think the jury is still out.

Claiming it’s a civil rights issue, Senate Leader John Campbell says he will introduce legislation this session to legalize same-sex marriage in Vermont.

Campbell says that everyone knows that Civil Unions was only a start.

Campbell – They realized it was not going to provide the absolute equality that the Baker decision, the Vermont Supreme Court, had called for, but it was a step in the right direction.

Campbell’s announcement right after the 2008 elections drew fire.

Governor Jim Douglas wants lawmakers to concentrate on rebuilding the state’s economy.

He thinks most Vermonters are happy with the status quo.

Douglas – I recall the civil union debate of eight years ago and what a difficult emotional and divisive experience it was for our state. And in the end the legislature reached an agreement to enact a civil unions statute that I think most Vermonters have come to accept.

Senator Campbell said testimony before a recent commission on the issue makes him think the bitter feelings have cooled.

Steve Cable heads Vermont Renewal, a group that supports traditional marriage.

Cable interpreted the testimony at those commission hearings as favoring the status quo.

Cable – Every professor, every legal expert that testified before this commission, the gay marriage commission, said that having gay marriage in Vermont wouldn’t provide any new legal benefits to gay and lesbian couples who are in civil unions right now.

Attorney Beth Robinson argued the original State Supreme Court case.

She chairs Vermont Freedom to Marry.

She challenges those who say lawmakers should forget same-sex marriage and concentrate on the sour economy.

In fact she thinks a same-sex marriage law could help the economy.

Robinson – Here’s a place where they can absolutely make a different in the lives of many Vermonters, make our lives better, help Vermont families without costing the state a penny and if anything, making Vermont a more competitive environment for business and making Vermont a more attractive environment for tourists.

Attorney Robinson says that in 2000, polls showed Vermonters were split over civil unions.

Time has had its effect.

A new poll by same-sex marriage lobbyists shows that 58 percent are okay with same-sex marriage.

39 percent of Vermonters are not.

For NHPR news, this is Kevin Forrest