From the Vermont Freedom To Marry Task Force;
"While driving to Rutland late Saturday morning, I suddenly became nervous that we hadn’t done enough. Perhaps there were people on our list that we didn’t connect with or perhaps we didn’t contact all the friendly organizations in the area that we could have. Doubt started to creep and I was happy to be proven wrong.
Nearly 200 supporters attended the Rutland hearing, leaving standing room only with people spilling out into the hallway at the back of the room. Thirty-three people gave passionate testimony in support of equal marriage rights for same-sex couples. It was an incredibly inspiring event.
Many shared their personal stories while others urged the state to provide full civil marriage rights to same-sex couples. Here are some quick highlights from the hearing:
David Warner shared that he realized he is treated as a second class citizen when he fell in love with a man from Indonesia. He spoke about the stress and fear placed on their relationship, because they could not marry and his partner could not stay in the states with him. If they were an opposite-sex couple, they could have married and had the peace of mind many bi-national married heterosexual couples have.
Tracy Hayes gave birth in another state to her now five-month old son, who she held while giving testimony. She testified that her partner, who she shares a civil union with, could not enter the delivery room because she was not considered family. She also shared that her other son was severely gay bashed at the age of five, because he had two moms. She tied these experiences to the message of inequality sent by the government when it maintains separate and unequal systems.
Reverend John Weatherhogg (United Church of Christ) stated that societal stability decreases when the majority pushes a minority out of the circle and that to deny same-sex couples the legal right to marry is a moral issue that must be dealt with. He stated that it is important to welcome all people into the moral norms of society.
Congratulations to the many people and organizations who worked hard to ensure that equality won out in Rutland. There were many volunteers and supporters who helped to make Saturday a success for equality.
A special thank you goes to the:
Rutland Vistas who turned out in force at the phone banks the week previous to the hearing
Castleton Students who provided testimony and wore respectful bed sheet placards on their shirts, urging equality for all
Rutland Unitarian Universalist Church for providing support in the weeks leading up to the hearing
Central Vermont Peace and Justice for hosting an important educational event in the early part of January and for telling their people about the hearing
Lisa Donohue for inviting VFM to participate on her PEGTV show
The Champlain Valley Unitarian Universlist Church for helping with our mailing and gathering several community members to attend the hearing
And a BIG KUDOS to our part-time Rutland organizer, Sheryl Rapée-Adams, for her terrific energy and tireless work to ensure that our supporters knew about the hearing and that we were successful!!! If you see her at the Co-op or farmers’ market in Rutland, be sure to give her a pat on the back.
NEXT STEPS – Williston Hearing and Submit Written Testimony
If you were unable to attend a hearing or if you attended, but did not provide verbal testimony, please submit written testimony. You have until MARCH 3RD to mail in your testimony to the Commission, before it provides its report to the Legislature in April. Written testimony is a powerful way to have your say on this issue and it’s easy.
Include your FULL NAME, TOWN and your personal reasons for supporting equal marriage rights for same-sex couples.
MAIL TO:
VT Commission on Family Recognition and Protection
c/o Legislative Council
115 State St.
Montpelier, VT 05633
Also, as you may know the public hearing in Williston is right around the corner. Please attend this hearing and gather your family and friends to join you. Also, if you live in another part of the state, we urge you to tell your family and friends in Chittenden County about the hearing. Details below:
Public Hearing in Williston
Monday February 11th
Williston Central School Auditorium
195 Central School Drive
6:30pm-8:30pm
(They are also holding an informational session from 5-6pm.)
Thank you,
Robyn Maguire
Field Director"