The Gays Are Still Civil: Run For The Hills!

Freep:

In the first five years since Vermont's law was passed, 7,549 couples have joined in civil unions, all but 1,137 of them from out of state. About two-thirds have been women. There have been 78 dissolutions.

Activists who observed Friday's fifth anniversary of the Vermont law's going into effect say it stops short of full equality for gay and lesbian couples. They plan to renew their push for full marriage -- something newly granted in Spain and expected soon in Canada.

"We knew from the outset it wouldn't get us where we need to go, which is full inclusion and equality for gay families," said Beth Robinson, the lead lawyer in the lawsuit that led to civil unions. "I think we've got plenty of work ahead of us."

Opponents have remained largely silent since 2000, when Vermont's Supreme Court ruled that gay and lesbian couples were being unconstitutionally denied marriage rights. Activists sought full marriage rights then, but lawmakers following the lead of Gov. Howard Dean decided the public was not ready for such a big step.

The Rev. Craig Bensen, who helped lead an opposition effort five years ago, said opponents would organize against any initiative for marriage.

Man, it's been 5 years already?  And here I keep waiting and waiting for God's Wrath.  That's what people like Rev. Bensen told us to expect if we allowed CUs, let alone marriage: fire, pestilence, and all sorts of other Old Testament stuff.  Thus far our fair state hasn't been destroyed, so I'm thinking maybe God is waiting for just the right moment when the lesson will have real impact.

Maybe we should just watch to see whether Massachusetts is still around in a few years or not.  If God doesn't blast that infernal, totally gay state to bits, then maybe it's okay for queers to love each other and have civil rights and shit.

ntodd