Date: Mon, 20 Dec 1999 14:38:31 -0500 From: "Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)" Subject: COVERING BAKER ET AL. V. THE STATE OF VERMONT - THE STATE SUPREME COURT'S RULING ON SAME-SEX MARRIAGE MEDIA ADVISORY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Wonbo Woo, Communications Manager phone: (212) 807-1700 x24 pager: (800) 689-0196 e-mail: woo@glaad.org COVERING BAKER ET AL. V. THE STATE OF VERMONT - THE STATE SUPREME COURT'S RULING ON SAME-SEX MARRIAGE NEW YORK, NY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1999 -Vermont's State Supreme Court ruled this morning that same-sex couples must be given the same benefits and protections as different-sex married couples, pointing to the "constitutional imperative to afford all Vermonters the common benefit, protection, and security of the law." The Court left it to the Legislature to decide how best to ensure that such couples would in fact have equal protections. Mary Bonauto, civil rights project director for Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders and co-counsel in Baker et al. v. the State of Vermont, referred to the ruling as "a legal and cultural milestone," stating: "The Court recognized that same-sex couples need and deserve the same legal rights and protections other people take for granted. The Court's decision paves the way for more secure families and stronger communities." As a means of assisting media professionals in covering the landmark ruling, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is releasing the following list of organizational resources and background information. In addition, GLAAD has a diverse list of clergy and individuals from within the national lesbian and gay community available for interview on the topic of same-sex marriage. For a copy of that list, please contact Wonbo Woo, GLAAD Communications Manager at (212) 807-1700 x24. SUMMARY: The parties filed their lawsuit in the Chittenden Superior Court in July, 1997, after each of the three couples was denied a marriage license by their local town clerk. The trial court dismissed the case in December, 1997, and the plaintiffs appealed to the Vermont Supreme Court. The Vermont Supreme Court heard oral argument in the case in November, 1998, and interested parties from across the country submitted friend of the court briefs. In its ruling, the Vermont Supreme Court suspended the case and retained jurisdiction in order to ensure that the legislature crafts an appropriate response. Plaintiffs: Stan Baker & Peter Harrigan, Nina Beck & Stacy Jolles, Lois Farnham & Holly Puterbaugh Counsel: Plaintiffs in the case were represented by Beth Robinson and Susan Murray of the Vermont-based firm Langrock, Sperry & Wool, and by Mary Bonauto of the Boston-based Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD). LOCAL (VERMONT) RESOURCES: Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)/Champlain Valley Chapter Contact: Lil Venner Phone: (802) 863-4285 Vermont Freedom To Marry Task Force (VFMTF) Contact: Dorothy Mammon, VFTMTF Coordinator, (802) 388-2633 Virginia Renfrew, Governor's Co-Liaison to the Gay Community, (802) 496-4333 Keith Goslant, Governor's Co-Liaison to the Gay Community, (802) 454-8552 Vermont Organization for Weddings of the Same-gender (VOWS) Contact: Rev. Brendan Hadash, Unitarian Universalist Minister and Founder of VOWS Phone: (802) 525-3856 Rev. Carol Karlson, Unitarian Universalist Minister, Phone: (802) 257-5186 LEAD LEGAL RESOURCES: Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) Contact: Mary Bonauto, Civil Rights Project Director, Attorney in Baker et al. v. the State of Vermont Phone: (617) 426-1350 Cell: (617) 388-5521 Langrock, Sperry & Wool Contact: Beth Robinson or Susan Murray, Attorneys in Baker et al. v. the State of Vermont Phone: (802) 388-6356 FURTHER LEGAL RESOURCES: American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) National Headquarters Contact: Emily Whitfield, Media Relations Director or Jennifer Middleton, Staff Attorney Phone: (212) 549-2500 Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund Contact: Peg Byron, Director of Communications Phone: (212) 809-8585 Pager: (888) 987-1984 National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) Contact: Kate Kendell, Executive Director Phone: (415) 392-6257 Pager: (415) 201-0439 POLITICAL RESOURCES: Americans United for the Separation of Church & State Contact: Joe Conn, Communications Director Phone: (202) 466-3234 Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Contact: David Smith, Communications Director Phone: (202)628-4160 Pager: (800) 386-5996 National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) Contact: David Elliot, Communications Director Phone: (202) 332-6483 x3303 Pager: (800) 757-6476 No On Knight Campaign Contact: Tracey Conaty Phone: (415) 227-1020 Cell: (415) 225-5786 People For the American Way Contact: Nancy Coleman, Communications Director Phone: (202) 467-4999 RELIGIOUS RESOURCES: Congregation Beth Simchat Torah Contact: Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum Phone: (212) 929-9498 Dignity USA Contact: Charles Cox, Executive Director Phone: (202) 861-0017 x4 Equal Partners in Faith Contact: Rev. Stephen Baines, Projects Coordinator Phone: (202) 296-4672 x14 The Interfaith Alliance Contact: Amber Kahn, Communications Director Phone: (202) 639-6370 Pager: (888) 941-9614 Soulforce Contact: Rev. Mel White Phone: (949) 455-0999 Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches Contact: Rev. Troy Perry, Moderator Phone: (310) 360-8640 x212 FAMILY RESOURCES: Children Of Lesbians And Gays Everywhere (COLAGE) Contact: Felicia Park-Rogers, Executive Director Phone: (415) 861-5437 Family Pride Coalition Contact: C. Ray Drew, Executive Director Phone: (619) 296-0199 Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Contact: Eric Ferrero, Communications Director Phone: (202) 638-4200 x225 COMMUNITY RESOURCES: National Association of Gay and Lesbian Community Centers Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center Contact: Whayne Herriford Phone: (323) 860-7355 Pager: (323) 982-6352 Lesbian & Gay Community Services Center - NYC Contact: Dan Willson, Director of Communications Phone: (212) 620-7310 National Latino/a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Organization (LLEGO) Contact: Ben Sheppard, Publications Manager Phone: (202) 466-8240 x109 The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of individuals and events in all media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. -30-