Support the Freedom to Marry Action Committee and the Freedom to Marry Task Force
If you're from Vermont: thank your legislators!
Here's how to get in touch with your elected officials:
GOVERNOR HOWARD DEAN:
(800) 649-6825 or (802) 828-3333 8AM-4PM. FAX (802) 828-3339
109 State St.
Montpelier, VT 05609
TO REACH YOUR LAWMAKERS AT THE STATEHOUSE:
Call the Sergeant at Arms for the names of your Senators and House Representatives: (800) 322-5616 or 828-2228; FAX 828-2424
You can also look up your representative and senators on the State of Vermont's webpage
IF YOU WANT TO MAIL YOUR LETTERS TO YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES
INSTEAD OF CALLING, write to:
The Vermont Statehouse
115 State St., Drawer 33
Montpelier, Vt. 05633-5301
Please note: If you have more than one Representative for your town, just call or write ALL of them, and make sure you tell them what town you're from! Phone calls to legislators' home numbers are better than leaving a message with the Sergeant at Arms. Email is iffy; some read it and some don't. If you email, be sure to include your mailing address so it is clear you are a constituent.
When you write or call, personalize your story; tell them why this issue is important to you. And again, make sure you tell them what town you're from; they need to know that you are a Vermonter!
In addition, here are some key points you might want to make:
1. You support the Court's decision, which mandates that the legislature assure real equality for all Vermonters, including same-sex couples.
2. You urge your elected officials to approach the issue with an open mind. You believe that the more they study the issue, the more they will realize that the only way to assure real equality is by including same-sex couples in the marriage statutes.
3. Any alternative to civil marriage would be "separate but equal," which we know from history is never really equal. Just imagine if we told heterosexual married Vermonters that they could no longer call themselves married-- that they will be called "registered partners" from now on. They would rebel; losing the power of a word that everyone understands to signify a committed, loving relationship would be a great loss to them. By depriving same-sex couples of that same legal status the legislature would be keeping us unequal, which runs counter to the Court's instruction.
4. If same-sex couples are not included in the marriage statutes, they may not have access to important protections that flow from being married. That includes health insurance and other benefits from employers, the ability to travel outside of Vermont and maintain a legally-recognized relationship, and the possibility of obtaining federal protections extended to married couples.
5. Including same-sex couples in civil marriage will not require any churches to perform same-sex wedding ceremonies if they don't want to; we're talking about civil marriage. By the same token, the many churches that do perform weddings for same-gender couples will be able to have those marriages legally recognized.
6. The institution of marriage has evolved dramatically over time; 100 years ago married women couldn't own property, and 35 years ago many states prohibited interracial couples from marrying. The history of the institution of marriage is a history of change, and some changes are good and important.
YOU SHOULD ALSO SEND COPIES OF ALL LETTERS AND FAXES TO THE FOLLOWING ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND TO YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPERS:
LT. GOV. DOUGLAS RACINE:
c/o The Vermont Statehouse
115 State St., Drawer 33
Montpelier, Vt. 05633-5301
828-2226; FAX 828-3198; email: ltgov@leg.state.vt.us
HOUSE SPEAKER MICHAEL OBUCHOWSKI:
c/o The Vermont Statehouse
115 State St., Drawer 33
Montpelier, Vt. 05633-5301
828-2245; FAX 828-2220; email:speaker@leg.state.vt.us
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE PETER SHUMLIN:
c/o The Vermont Statehouse
115 State St., Drawer 33
Montpelier, Vt. 05633-5301
828-3806; FAX 828-1040
SENATOR RICHARD SEARS
Chair, Senate Judiciary Committee
c/o The Vermont Statehouse
115 State St., Drawer 33
Montpelier, Vt. 05633-5301
FAX 828-2424
(800) 322-5616 or 828-2228
REPRESENTATIVE TOM LITTLE
Chair, House Judiciary Committee
c/o The Vermont Statehouse
115 State St., Drawer 33
Montpelier, Vt. 05633-5301
FAX 828-2424
(800) 322-5616 or 828-2228
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