Woe to you, ye perverted in heart, who are watchful to obtain an accurate knowledge of evil, and to discover terrors. No one shall assist you.” The Book of Enoch Chapter XCIX: 6 ---------------------------------- Jun 30, 2000 - 02:43 AM 'A Gift' - Gay Couples Prepare for Union Ceremonies in Vermont By Ross Sneyd Associated Press Writer HARTLAND FOUR CORNERS, Vt. (AP) - Pierre Fournier has been in a committed relationship for the last 12 years, but marriage plans have always been on hold because his partner is another man. That's all about to change. Late Saturday afternoon, Fournier and Richard Waddell will stand before 45 friends and neighbors in the lush gardens behind their house and recite vows of commitment they wrote together. With that simple ceremony, they will be among the first same-sex couples in the country whose relationship receives the official sanction of a state government under Vermont's landmark civil unions law. "We see this as an acknowledgment of our very close friends and neighbors in town who have supported us from the minute we moved here," said Waddell, who, like Fournier, is 53. Vermont lawmakers, asked to respond to a state Supreme Court ruling that gay couples were being unconstitutionally denied the benefits of marriage, stopped just short of allowing gay marriage in April. Instead, they created civil unions, a legal institution parallel to marriage that will provide the same rights, benefits and responsibilities. The law takes effect Saturday. For the first time in America, gay couples will be recognized by their state government as next of kin for the purposes of survivor benefits, taxes, medical decision-making and some 300 other state rights that automatically flow to opposite-sex couples when they marry. Federal benefits, such as Social Security and some tax measures, remain off limits. Even though the Legislature chose to call it something different, the ceremonies that will be taking place across Vermont will have all the trappings of marriage. Couples will be obtaining licenses from their town clerks and then will have their civil unions "certified" by a justice of the peace, a judge or a member of the clergy. For Fournier, a piano teacher, and Waddell, who's on the infectious disease research faculty at Dartmouth College in nearby New Hampshire, the ceremony will be a community celebration and an opportunity to publicly declare their love and commitment. They had a commitment ceremony a decade ago, but the event was simpler and without legal meaning. The couple settled on ties and sports jackets for the ceremony after much debate. They will exchange rings crafted by their local state representative, Democrat Derek Levin, who voted in favor of civil unions. Their union will be "acknowledged" by the local justice of the peace who agreed to preside, and party guests will gather back by the house for food, wine and music. "It's a gift," Fournier said. "I have always wanted to get married, but I long ago gave that up. So it's much more than just legal elements. This is my one time." AP-ES-06-30-00 0243EDT http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGIIWESG3AC.html Bard <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html">Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
