Vermont

A new group announced Tuesday it will be holding public hearings to educate Vermonters on the benefits of traditional marriage. The announcement came after pro-family advocates concluded that a state-backed committee studying gay “marriage” would not adequately explore that side of the debate.

The new Vermont Marriage Advisory Council plans to hold hearings and public forums across the state in support of keeping marriage between one man and one woman.

It is the first major opposition effort against gay “marriage” since the formation of Vermont Commission on Family Recognition and Protection, chaired by former Republican state Rep. Tom Little, last June. more >>

Debate on whether same-sex couples should be allowed to ''marry'' is currently underway in Vermont.

Seven years after civil unions were legalized in Vermont, gay rights advocates are now pushing for Vermonters to accept gay "marriage."

"You can't say, 'Oh this is a scary thing that's never happened anywhere before,'" said Beth Robinson with the Freedom to Marry Task Force, according to WCAX-TV News. "It's happening all over the world and it's working and I think Vermonters will come to that view as well." more >>

A four-day trial in Vermont concluded last week over custody and visitation issues between a once lesbian couple that had a child during their civil union.

Lisa Miller had attempted to have her civil union with former partner Janet Jenkins ruled as void so that she could gain sole custody of her daughter, Isabella. The Vermont Supreme Court last Thursday upheld the validity of their civil union, however, thus forcing the biological mother to drive her daughter from Virginia to Vermont to visit her former partner.

Miller wants to make an appeal to the Supreme Court to overturn the verdict since the two had lived in Virginia during their union. Virginia does not recognize same-sex unions. more >>