Pro-family Vermonters speak out at the statehouse 
By Karen Skrill

Written by one of our readers who is a former journalist and wanted to record what pro-family people said tonight.

The following is a synopsis of Vermonters who spoke Wednesday, March 18 before legislators in the well of the Vermont Statehouse in support of traditional marriage and in opposition to S-115, the gay marriage bill. They spoke before what several veteran statehouse journalists and lobbyists believe to be the largest crowd that has ever gathered for one issue at the Vermont Statehouse. The pro-gay marriage crowd was larger than our side and apparently well-funded and organized, as demonstrated by the field team of "crowd marshalls" with headphones and mikes scattered throughout the Statehouse. The crowd filled the House chamber, the cafeteria, several hallways, and two large meeting rooms downstairs.

Aileen Gauthier of Rutland said Article 44 of the Vermont Constitution guarantees protection to religious groups. This bill would try to take that away, and therefore is against the constitution.

Eleanor Campbell of Waitsfield said we are able to be here because of a man and a woman. A woman who did not abort us. And together they raised us. She said, "There is much Gay money flowing into this state - $150,00 from one source alone – trying to buy the soul of our state." The destruction of the Vermont family is costing our state government more than 75 million each year, for data go to www.vermontmarriage.org, she said, adding that the concerns over the rights of children have been ignored, drowned out by the minority of an adult minority.

Hugh Campbell of Waitsfield noted that the United Nations advises in all actions concerning children, the best interests of the child shall be the primary consideration. He said, "A true civil right never comes at the expense of another person. But same sex marriage comes at the expense of a child bonding with his and her biological father and mother."

Anna Gagne of St. Albans said "The sky has not fallen since civil unions. This is because the sky had already fallen, beginning with the sexual revolution of the 60’s. This is not because of what gays have done – it is what heterosexuals have done, by not being faithful to their marriage vows.

Dot Bolduc of St. Albans City said "Gay people do have the right to marry, they are not denied the right to marry. Gay people choose not to marry. They do not want a union with the opposite sex. They want a union with the same sex. This is not marriage. Their unions are not the same, and they will never be the same. The VT legislature may now have the power to change marriage, but power is not wisdom. Some of the legislators appear drunk with the power they have….they seem not to care about the economic struggles we are in….they are not acting wisely."

Gail Smith – Irasburg – Under the constitution, civil rights should be based on evident natural attributes, not personal choice. She said, "What is next, polygamists? Our laws will become based on ad campaigns and strident voices, not truths that are self-evident. "

Johnson Tata of Montpelier is a missionary who moved here in 1997. He said marriage is instituted by god and given to adam and eve, and the legislature has no right to change the definition of marriage.

Dr. Andrew Selle of Essex Junction said, "This bill has the potential for wrongly putting many people in the position of being lawbreakers,  at risk for lawsuits and worse." He was speaking of churches risking lawsuits by denying the use of their church sanctuaries for gay weddings. He added, "I am concerned about polygamy down the road. Please don’t dismiss this outright." And he said that same sex couples already enjoy the same rights through CU, they can solemnize their unions at church services and call it marriage, but "they do not have the right to force everyone else to call it marriage. That violates my civil liberties."

Diane St. Cyr of  Jericho said that although some legislators say the failure of traditional marriage gives the state the right to alter it, "I passionately oppose this." The state should have a referendum on gay marriage.

Pastor Kevin Howrigan of Brattleboro said that "In my mind, civil union isn’t second class, it’s a different choice." There are two philosophies at war here – one is based on what feels right, and the other on what God says is right. Children may feel they know what is right, but they need a father to tell them what is right.

Mark Fleming of Essex said "20 years ago my wife and I entered into a covenant relationship, which the neuter language of this bill denudes. We strongly resent this….The American people have already said in many other states that they do not want homosexual marriage. We stand with them."

Ralph Gerlach  of Williston said you can’t take nine years of civil union and conclude statistically that children are okay with it because "children of divorce often don’t realize what they didn’t get until age 40."

Tammy Congleton of Shelburne said  gay marriage supporters confuse different with unequal. Civil union advocates should advocate more equality within civil union. They should celebrate diversity of being different and equal. Women’s rights advocates demanded equality, but when they had achieved it, did not say they wish to become men.

Ann Goff of Shelburne said for decades legislators have been undermining the institution of marriage. She said "The nuclear family - mom dad and the kids – is the primary transferrer of civilization from one generation to the next." This legislation will "further trivialize that institution. Marriage laws should affirm the unit that will build the future." She called the legislature "social innovators". 

Rev. Glen Carter, youth pastor, Jericho Congregational Church, said "we hold this book [the Bible] so dear that many people in our tradition have given their lives for it over the centuries." And it is this book that says that clearly says that marriage between one woman and one man is holy and sacred.
 

Karen Skrill of Orange County said the bill is about changing the meaning of the word "marriage".