Vermont mental health groups back gay marriage

By 365gay Newscenter Staff
03.10.2009 1:02pm EDT

(Burlington, Vermont) Vermont mental health professionals are backing legislation to allow same-sex couples to marry.

The Vermont Psychiatric Association, the Vermont Psychological Association, the Vermont Mental Health Counselor Association and the Vermont chapter of the National Association of Social Workers said in a joint statement that arguments by opponents of same-sex marriage who claim it is not in the best interest of children to allow gays and lesbians to marry are wrong.

“Children of lesbian and gay parents are as likely as those of heterosexual parents to flourish,” the statement said.

The statement was released at a news conference by the groups.

“No study has shown that outcomes for children of single-sex families are any less positive than outcomes for children in heterosexual families,” said Jackie Weinstock, an associate professor at the University of Vermont and a spokesperson for the four groups.

Steve Cable, of the Vermont Marriage Advisory Council which opposes gay marriage, said the groups are using inconclusive science to back a political agenda.

The Vermont Legislature is expected to take up a marriage equality bill next week. The legislation has 59 sponsors in the House – all Democrats.

Vermont was the first state in the country to legalize civil unions in 2000. Since then, LGBT groups have criticized the law for creating a “two tiered” system – marriage for opposite-sex couples and civil unions for gays.

An 11-member commission was set up last year by Senate President Pro Tempore Peter Shumlin (D) and Speaker of the House Shap Smith (D).

The commission submitted its report to the legislature last April, but made no recommendations on revising the law to allow for same-sex marriage.

Last week, Shumlin, who spearheaded the civil union bill nine years ago, said that the civil union law hasn’t kept up with the times. Massachusetts and Connecticut allow same-sex marriage and gay marriage bills are under consideration in Maine and New Hampshire.

But if the bill passes the legislature it is doubtful Republican Gov. James Douglas will sign it. Douglas through a spokesperson said that the governor believes civil unions are sufficient.