Commission hears impassioned pleas for gay marriage
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By Daniel Barlow Vermont Press Bureau - Published: November 20, 2007
LYNDONVILLE – Supporters of gay marriage came out in strong numbers Monday night for the second time in as many months to urge a Vermont Legislature-backed commission to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples.
More than 20 people testified before the Vermont Commission on Family Recognition and Protection at its public hearing at Lyndon State College, and throughout the 90-minute session, only two people stood up to speak against same-sex marriage.
This was the second forum held by the 11-member commission and the second time that a strongly supportive audience turned out. Major anti-gay groups in the state are boycotting the hearings.
Joseph Gainza of Marshfield floated one theory on why gay marriage has not become a divisive topic during the hearings: Most straight Vermonters, including him, noticed that the sky did not fall down after the Vermont Legislature legalized civil unions for same-sex couples seven years ago.
"The change came and you realized that nothing in your life has changed," said Gainza. "The only difference is that your neighbors have some rights they didn't have. And none of your own rights were taken away in the process."
Love and family were the buzzwords of the night as same-sex couples and their straight supporters stressed that gay and lesbian Vermonters are vital members of communities as they form families and raise children.
"We are a family just like thousands of other Vermonters," said Ann Parker of North Danville, on her life with her same-sex partner. "But other families don't need to discuss and debate whether they actually should be recognized as families."
Gay marriage supporters related the struggle for marriage rights in an era of civil unions to the "separate but equal" segregation for African-Americans after the end of the Civil War until it was struck down in the early 1950s.
Victoria Hastings of St. Johnsbury urged the commission to support gay marriage, otherwise Vermont "might as well return to separate drinking fountains." Abby Paige, also of St. Johnsbury, said his three daughters were shocked to learn that discrimination still existed in this post-civil rights era.
Noting that Monday was the 144th anniversary of President Lincoln's famous address at Gettysburg after the end of the Civil War, Susan Rhodes explained how her lesbian daughter is still fighting for the right to marry the woman she loves.
"She has a civil union, but that is not a marriage license," Rhodes said. "She has diminished rights, freedoms and responsibilities."
Rick Menard, the pastor of New Beginnings Christian Church in St. Johnsbury, was one of the two who spoke out against gay marriage Monday night.
Referencing the repeated invocations of the civil rights movement, Menard told the commission that he had counseled many men and women "going through the painful struggle of trying to overcome homosexuality," but had never met a person of color who wanted to escape their skin.
When asked about the tiny turnout of gay marriage opponents, Menard said he believes there is a "moral and silent majority" in Vermont who are staying home during the process because they believe that the commission's mind is already made up.
"I think there is a sense of apathy because there is a sense that this is going to get passed," he said. "The pro-gay marriage people are very well-organized and very outspoken, but there is a silent majority out there who are opposed to this."
Tom Little, a former Republican state representative from Shelburne who is chairing the commission, again expressed a desire for a wider diversity of views. He also cautioned against applause and a suggestion that he do a head count of gay marriage supporters in order to, as he said, "ensure that everyone feels comfortable and welcome" at the forums.
He also sought to shake the impression from some that the commission has already decided the contents of its report, which is due to the Legislature in April 2008.
"Our mission is to report what we hear in as an objective way as possible without including our own ideas or viewpoints," Little told the crowd of about 60 people during a brief lull in the testimony. "We are a sounding board for public opinion."
Contact Daniel Barlow at Daniel.Barlow@rutlandherald.com.
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