Developments in Vermont resonated nationwide.

All 10 applicants for the Republican nomination that is presidential 2000 denounced civil unions. One of these, Gary Bauer, called the Vermont decision “in some real means even worse than terrorism.”

Massachusetts. Activists in Massachusetts, prompted by Vermont, filed their very own lawsuit in 2001 demanding marriage equality. In 2003, the Supreme Judicial Court vindicated their claim in Goodridge v. Department of Public wellness, while rejecting unions that are civil “second-class citizenship.” Massachusetts hence became the initial United states state—and only the 5th jurisdiction in the world—to recognize same-sex wedding.

The ruling sparked just a moderate backlash that is local their state legislature shortly but seriously debated overturning your choice by constitutional amendment, but popular help for this type of measure quickly dissipated as same-sex partners started marrying. Within the ensuing state elections, marriage-equality supporters actually gained seats into the legislature.

Somewhere else, but, the Massachusetts ruling produced enormous governmental opposition. Continue reading →