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LDS Representative Tells Vermont Legislature to Amend Constitution Opponents testify before Legislature
By Ross Sneyd MONTPELIER, VERMONT -- In the wake of last month's Vermont Supreme Court decision that gay and lesbian couples are entitled to the same benefits enjoyed by married couples, the Vermont legislature held hearings what legislation should be enacted to implement the decision. Opponents of same-sex marriage, including the LDS Church, testified before the Vermont House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, arguing that the legislature should either ignore the decision or try to enact a constitutional amendment prohibiting same-sex marriage. The LDS Church was represented by Burlington lawyer Thomas McCormick, who helped write a brief to the Vermont Supreme Court for its recent decision, now called the Baker decision. McCormick told the Judiciary committee that he thinks the best way to respond was to seek an amendment to the state constitution that defines marriage as between one man and one woman. McCormick told the committee that he thinks permitting same-sex marriages will lead to other forms of marriage. "What is going to mean if you redefine marriage today that says, yes, the very attractive couples in the Baker case can be married? What are you going to say tomorrow when three or more people want to get married? If you say yes to same-sex couples, what do you say to two sisters or two brothers who want to be married?"
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