The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 Friday that same-sex couples have a right to wed, making same-sex marriage legal in all 50 states.
Pride Center of Vermont is planning a 5:30 p.m. event Friday evening on the steps of Burlington City Hall to celebrate the landmark decision — and expects a crowd.
“This is such a significant moment in LGBTQ history,” said Kim Fountain, executive director of Pride Center Vermont, in a statement. “Just 50 years ago, there were no rights protecting LGBTQ people. Today, the highest court in the country handed down a decision consistent with polls that show overwhelming public support for marriage equality.”
The center noted that Vermont has been a national leader in the fight for marriage equality. In 2000, Vermont became the first state to offer civil unions to same-sex couples. In 2009, the state became the first to legislate a marriage-equity law.
As soon as the SCOTUS decision was announced, Fountain said, phones and social media lit up — and people are still texting, Facebooking and tweeting hours later. People are “ebullient, absolutely joyous,” she said.
“I’m just so excited with how far we’ve come,” said Hillary Boone, a former board co-chair for the center.
People at the center on Friday noted that many rights accompany legal marriage — issues related to insurance, inheritances and more. “This helps to protect those folks,” Fountain said.
The Pride Center is inviting people to the steps of Burlington City Hall tonight to share their stories and to thank the people who’ve worked for years to further the issue.
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The shot has been fired around the world just like Ft. Bunker, The war is on now. evil against faith. i hope all good people come down to the city hall and puck all over the steps. and perhaps all over those evil ;people who demanded this same sex crap. Evil judges, evil courts, against the population of the states, over 30 states voted against it , yet Obama’s puppets voted for it by one vote, now tell me how one vote can change our history books, like i said, forced war is on, hate war no, i have too many friends that are gay, but constitutional war where we have rights taken from us by the gays, will fight for this.
could be a pucky steps by late evening
Don’t like it? Don’t marry someone of the same sex. Otherwise, just like everyone else, it’s not your business who someone else loves or makes love to and it’s not your life. Go on your merry way, Buzz Killington ♡
pucks are what they use in hockey.
@Ken Peterson you wrote “… i have too many friends that are gay, but constitutional war where we have rights taken from us by the gays, will fight for this.”
Please elaborate what rights gays have taken away from you. I’m hard pressed to come up with any myself.
Quite on the contrary, the rights of gays that have been previously taken away by heterosexuals, including the right to marital benefits, the right to serve our country, the right to adopt children, the right to inherit property, etc., etc., etc….