Ice Cream Chain Ben & Jerry's Celebrate Marriage Equality in Vermont

Ben & Jerry's a large ice cream company has been making friendly gestures towards the gay community including renaming one of their famous flavors chubby hubby to "hubby hubby" for a month in honor of marriage equality. They will also have a wedding truck traveling the state handing out this new named flavor.

Walt Freese, chief executive officer of Ben & Jerry's said: "At the core of Ben & Jerry's values we believe that social justice can and should be something that every human being is entitled to. From the very beginning of our 30-year history, we have supported equal rights for all people."

The company was active in ensuring the passage of marriage legislation, back in April they stated their support for marriage equality and for an override of the governors veto.

Contact Ben & Jerry's to thank them for their support for LGBT rights and marriage equality.

E-comment box.

Give them a call at 802-846-1500 between 9:00 and 5:00 Eastern - Monday through Friday. Ask for Consumer Services.

Gratitude to Vermonters for Marriage Equality

Vermont Freedom to Marry is hosting county booths throughout the state to thank and celebrate with fellow Vermonters over the new marriage equality law set to go into effect on September 1st.

Upcoming opportunities:

* Aug. 29-Sep. 7 Champlain Valley Fair (Essex Junction)

* September 4-13 Vermont State Fair (Rutland)

* September 17-20 Tunbridge

For more information contact:

Sheryl Rapee-Adams, Field Director (802-353-7286 / Sheryl@vtfreetomarry.org)

Ashley Kaufmann, Deputy Field Director (802-777-1948 / Ashley@vtfreetomarry.org)

Fight Hate and Celebrate Love in Vermont on 9/1/09

On September 1st Vermont will officially begin to register same-sex marriages, after a former veto by the governor was overturned by the legislature. On such a joyous day Fred Phelps and his gang at the Westboro Baptist Church will be picketing with their anti-gay hateful rhetoric.

Join the participants at Phelps-A-Thon who will counter protest and celebrate this victory, while also raising money for every minute that the Westboro Baptist Church preaches their hate.

Vermont State House
Montpelier, VT

Ben & Jerrys Supported Vermont Veto Override

Walt Freese the CEO of Ben & Jerry's Homemade, Inc. a large ice cream company has come on the record stating his company supports marriage equality and they supported the override of the governors veto.

Freese and other business leaders in Vermont were arguing that marriage equality will help the Vermont economy.

"We're writing to you today because your vote to override the Governor's veto of S. 115, An Act to Protect Religious Freedom and Promote Equality in Civil Marriage, affects the ability of all businesses in Vermont to recruit the talented people we need to ensure the continued development of vital businesses; the kind of businesses like those we lead, which pay wages and have long futures in our state." (VtFreetoMarry)

Contact Ben & Jerry's to thank them for their support for LGBT rights and marriage equality.

E-comment box.

Give them a call at 802-846-1500 between 9:00 and 5:00 Eastern - Monday through Friday. Ask for Consumer Services.

VERMONT LEGALIZES SAME-SEX MARRIAGE!

The Vermont legislature has just voted 100-49 to overturn the Governors veto of marriage. Vermont officially becomes the 4th state in the union to allow same-sex marriage after Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Iowa.

Thank you for all your hard work and congratulations!!!

Act Now: Tell Your Legislators to Override Marriage Equality Veto

Members of the Vermont Senate and House voted overwhelmingly to bring marriage equality to Vermont. But Governor Douglas has promised to veto this critical legislation. Act now to send a message to your legislators urging them to override the governor's veto.

Use HRC's E-Action Form to contact your representative and state senator.

Rallies Celebrating Iowa Victory Tonight!

Iowans are ready to hit the streets to celebrate the unanimous marriage equality ruling! Below is a list of rally locations in Iowa and one in New York (celebrating both Iowa and Vermont rulings).


Iowa Rallies:

Ames Rally
Friday, April 03, 5:30 PM
ISU Campus next to the Hub
Contact Matt Skuya at 515.314.0213

Cedar Falls/Waterloo Rally
Friday, April 03, 3:00 PM
Univ. of N. Iowa Maucker Union, Cedar Falls
Contact Kaitlin Corbitz at 319.610.7155

Cedar Rapids Rally
Friday, April 03, 5:00 PM
People’s Church Unitarian Universalist
600 3rd Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids
Contact Andrea Jansa at 319.360.8072

Council Bluffs Rally
Friday, April 03, 5:30 PM
Playland Park
2 North 40th Street, Council Bluffs
Contact Matt Skuya at 515.314.0213

Des Moines Rally
Friday, April 03, 5:30 PM
Western Gateway Park
13th Street between Grand & Locust @ 5:30 pm
Contact the One Iowa Office at 515.288.4019

Decorah Rally
Saturday, April 04, 10:00 AM
Winneshiek County Courthouse
201 W. Main St., Decorah
Contact Amalia Vagts at 563.382.6277

Dubuque Rally
Friday, April 03, 5:30 PM
Q’s
920 Main Street, Dubuque
Contact Tina Sio at 563.564.6316

Iowa City Rally
Friday, April 03, 5:30 PM
Univ. of Iowa Pentacrest
On Clinton Street and Iowa Avenue
Contact Matt Fender at 646.752.5932

Mason City Rally
Friday, April 03, 5:30 PM
Cerro Gordo County Courthouse
220 N. Washington Ave, Mason City
Contact Matt Skuya at 515.314.0213

Quad Cities Rally
Friday, April 03, 5:30 PM
Davenport Unitarian Church
3707 Eastern Avenue, Davenport
Contact Ryan Crane at 402.659.8110

Out of State:

New York City
Day of Decision celebrating Iowa and Vermont victories!
Union Square Park
6:30 PM
thepowerny@gmail.com

Urgent Action Needed for Civil Marriage Equality (S. 115) in Vermont

The Vermont house is poised to soon deliberate on the issue of same-sex marriage. It has sailed through the Senate and is likely to do very well in the house. It is essential that marriage equality receives a minimum of 100 legislators support to have a chance to override the threatened veto by Governor Jim Douglas.

The hearing was expected tomorrow, but there are now indications that deliberations may begin as early as today!

VT Freedom to Marry suggests a few steps you can take to support marriage equality in VT:

Spend the day at Statehouse on Thursday April 2! Arrive there by 9 a.m. Bring a book, bring a sandwich, grab a seat, and be ready for the S.115 debate.

Contact your Representative. If your Rep co-sponsored the House bill-- thank him or her for his support, and urge your Rep to hold firm in moving S.115. Click here for a list of Representatives.

Call and email Gov. Douglas to express your disappointment and urge him to change his mind. Ph: 802 828-3333 (toll-free in VT only: 800 649-6825) Email Gov. Douglas now.

Rallies/Vigils for Marriage Equality in Vermont

Please attend a vigil in support of equal civil rights and the marriage equality bill. This will show strong support for equal marriage across Vermont, and to the nation at large. It is crucial to act now as the senate passed equal marriage, and the house is set to vote with the Governor threatening to veto.

Rally at State Capital
Friday March 27th

Bennington
Saturday, March 28
1-3 PM
Unitarian Universalist Church
108 School St

Burlington
Sunday, March 29
4-5 PM
Unitarian Universalist Church of Burlington
152 Pearl Street

Rutland
Sunday, March 29
4-5 PM
Unitarian Universalist Church of Rutland
117 West Street, Rutland

Brattleboro
Sunday, March 29
4-5 PM
Wells Fountain

Middlebury
Sunday, March 29
4-5 PM
Town Green

White River Junction
Sunday, March 29
4-5 PM
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
749 Hartford Avenue (Rt 5)

Montpelier
Sunday, March 29
4-5 PM
City Hall

Vermont Governor Threatens to Veto Marriage Bill, Act Now!

Vermont Governor Jim Douglas is threatening to veto the marriage equality bill that has sailed through the senate by a 26-4 vote, and now goes on to the house for final approval.

He maintains that civil unions are equal and that Vermont needs to focus on the economy. Yet, when asked if he would trade his marriage for a civil union, he swiftly replies that he would not. What he also fails to realize is that gay marriage is a boost for the economy, and that going against the majority of the people and the legislature is unconstitutional.



Please urge everyone regardless of their home state, to call AND email the governor and tell him to retract his message and support marriage equality.

E-contact form for Governor Jim Douglas

USPS: Governor Jim Douglas
109 State Street, Pavilion
Montpelier, VT 05609-0101

Phone: 802 828-3333
(toll-free in VT only: 800 649-6825)

Vermont Marriage Bill Headed for Senate!

The Senate Judiciary Committee in Vermont has approved the same-sex marriage bill S.115 by a 5-0 margin. The bill is expected to come before the entire senate for a vote on Monday 3/23 at 3:00PM.

This is our last opportunity to voice our support for the measure before the senate is set to vote on the matter.

Whether you have done so in the past or not, please call and email your state senator to vote in favor of the resolution by going to http://www.vtfreetomarry.org/senate.html.

Web Spotlight: This Show is So Gay

This Show is So Gay is a grassroots radio show broadcasting out of Brattleboro, VT. They are all about gay hosts talking about gay events with gay special guests requesting gay music and notable LGBT artists/activists/amazing folks.

Get Marriage on the Mind of Those in Vermont

The equal marriage bill has made it out of committee in Vermont and will be voted on by the house, the senate has yet to introduce a bill on the subject matter. Now is the time to act up by making marriage equality the subject of debate throughout the state of Vermont.

For tips and contact info on writing letters to the editor click here.

To find your elected representative click here.

Vermont Visibility Day Feb 6th

It's time to eliminate discrimination in Vermont's marriage laws and for GLBTQ Vermonters to have the same freedoms and rights as their heterosexual neighbors, family members and friends.

Please register to talk to your Vermont House and Senate representatives to let them know why you believe Vermont should move forward. Click the contact info and link below for the schedule of events.

Hosted by:
Robyn Maguire
802.310.6683
field_director@vtfreetomarry.org
www.vtfreetomarry.org

Vermont Freedom to Marry Drive

Vermont Civil Rights activists need your help, help them acquire marriage equality in Vermont. Please tell your friends, co-workers, family members, any body, to join the Freedom To Marry Drive and donate toward a great cause, the goal is to raise $50,000 by January 31st, please get the word out.

Every contribution whether it be through service or donation will help us, please don't hesitate to help. For more information please visit http://firstgiving.com/vfm or visit Vermont Free to Marry (Click Here)

Crossposted via Proposition This!

Urge Vermont Governor to Support Marriage Equality

Vermont was the first state in the union to sign into law a civil unions bill under than governor Howard Dean (D). Since that time lawmakers have been challenging the civil unions law which does not provide full equal benefits to gay and lesbian couples. The house is likely to take up a bill upgrading civil unions to full marriage equality this session.

The current governor Jim Douglas (R) has come out in opposition to marriage equality and feels civil unions are adequate. He has yet to indicate whether he would veto this bill if it comes to his desk.

"Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas said Thursday he would oppose legislation allowing same-sex marriages, saying the state's civil unions law is adequate and that lawmakers should be focusing on the state's money problems.

State Sen. John Campbell says he plans to introduce such legislation in the Legislature's upcoming session. "I think the current civil union law is sufficient," Douglas said. "It accords equality of rights to Vermonters in terms of their relationships and I think we should leave the law as it is." Campbell said the bill is unlikely to gain support in the Legislature unless Douglas gives a clear signal he would sign it – or allow it to become law without his signature.

But Douglas balked at sending any such signal. "I never indicate what I might do when a bill gets to my desk, but I've been quite clear that I don't support the legislation," said Douglas, a Republican." (JMG)

It is imperative that we begin to contact the governor and urge him to sign into law a marriage equality bill should it eventually come to his desk. We must remind him that regardless of how he personally feels about marriage it is wrong to create a separate and unequal institution for LGBT people.

Use the E-contact form to get in touch with the governor.

Governor Jim Douglas
109 State Street, Pavilion
Montpelier, VT 05609-0101

802 828-3333
(toll-free in VT only: 800 649-6825)