Vermont Same-Sex Marriage is About to Become Official

by Michael Jones · 2009-08-14 08:56:00 UTC
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Vermont marriage application

Earlier this year, legislators in Vermont were able to override a veto threat from Republican Gov. Jim Douglas to enact marriage equality in the state.  After a few months of getting everything in gear, Vermont started handing out its first same-sex marriage applications this week (on view up above in the photo), with gay and lesbian couples officially able to tie the knot starting on September 1, 2009.

Most are noting that this is happening with little fanfare, a sign that marriage equality just isn't as controversial as many on the right-wing would like it to be.  The Times Argus notes that most towns in Vermont, from Brattleboro to Rutland, are planning to watch same-sex marriage become officially legal without much to do.

Couples with a wedding planned after Sept. 1 can pick up a Vermont License of Civil Marriage application at their local town offices – the document that, once signed by the correct authorities, allows them to get a marriage certificate.

"I picked up mine today," said Jace Sheppard of Colchester who plans to marry his civil union partner Michael Sheppard on Sept. 1 after the two get out of work for the day. "We're going to sign it soon and probably return it tomorrow."

So far, very few same-sex couples in Vermont seem to be lining up to get the applications, although more than two weeks remains in the month before the start of the new law.

Yes, despite what the right-wing might say, gay and lesbian Vermonters will quietly walk into the history books in a few weeks as if it were just a natural, everyday occurrence.  And that's not to discount the hard work and extreme efforts that went into making marriage equality a reality in Vermont.  But it is to say that marriage equality is increasingly becoming a part of everyday life.

Michael Jones is a Change.org Editor. He has worked in the field of human rights communications for a decade, most recently for Harvard Law School.
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