It was by accident that we ran across this "Congratulations". It was a very pleasant surprise and for that we sincerely thank you. We were adamant about being the first out of state couple to gain our Civil Union and with this recognition of our 13 year relationship we have accepted the hard struggle of convincing the State of Massachusetts to recognize the Vermont Law.  Already we have met with State Legislatures and individuals who will plan to be of great emotional and financial support.  If you are able to change or add anything to the note that we found on your website may we suggest the following - we have been together for nearly 13 years - we traveled to Vermont via Limousine with four of our closest friends - we were Civilly Unioned at 12:30 am on July 1st in the Brattleboro Town Bandstand - became the first male couple and the first out-of-state couple - and we live in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts (this is very important to us as it is Mass. leading republican/Yankee stronghold and major supporters for our cause--believe it or not.  Thanks again.  Thomas I. Lang and Alexander Westerhoff  (Massachusetts)

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I wanted to take this opportunity to thank the person{s} who operate this site for doing such a wonderful job of informing as well as celebrating our achievements.  I am also sending Debra's and my Civil Union Announcement in hopes that it might be included on your site.  My name is Pamela Page, age 35 and my partner Is Debra Page, age 32. Debra is a Police Officer for the Town of Brattleboro and I am an associate with Pro Lingua Publishing Company of Brattleboro.  We have been together for 10 years and shared a full commitment ceremony, in Florida, with family and friends on May 5th, 1991. We moved from Central Florida in May 2000 and now live in Brattleboro.  We were one of the couples who were issued their Civil Union license by Annette Cappy on July 1st, 2000. On July 30th, 2000, Debra and I exchanged our vows under the gazebo at the Brattleboro Park in front of Assistant Judge Mary Ann Holt. Our Ceremony was simple yet very emotional as neither Debra nor I ever believed that we would see this day possible in our lifetimes.  Thank you for your consideration in this matter. Please keep up the great work for us all.   Pamela Page  (Vermont)

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My partner and I are going to Stowe, and will joined together on Feb. 8th. I have obtained a Justice of the Peace who will perform the ceremony ... just need a place to have it? Any resources I can go to to find a gay friendly place in Stowe to perform the ceremony? Any help would be great.  Thanks.

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Hi. My name is (-----).  I'm a gay man and I have a boyfriend who I love so much. We've been waiting for this day to come true, our marriage! But we still have some questions regarding our marriage. My boyfriend is Brazilian and he's not a US citizen.  Is it possible for both of us to get married? If we do so, is he going to be able to get US citizenship thru the INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service)? We live together in Boston MA. I support him in all aspects and I'm just wondering if that it's possible. Thanks for the time.  (Massachusetts)

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Hello...  Can you please inform me of whether or not a person who is in the US on a tourist visa could be joined in a Civil Union with a US citizen. And, if this civil union would be recognized and credited by the INS.  If you don't have the answer to this question, can someone please direct me to the proper source.  Thanks for your prompt response.

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My lesbian partner and I would like to have a civil union ceremony in Vermont. We live in Chicago and are not sure where to go or what parts of the state are gay friendly. we would also like information on lodging for our family of 5 (three children). Thank you for any help and suggestions that you can offer.  (Illinois)

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I would like a list of justice of the peace, on the New Hampshire, Vermont border.  Thank you.

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(-----) and I would like to thank you for all of the information that you have sent us.  The step which we want to take in November is very important to us and we want it to go as smoothly as possible.  We understand the possible legal ramifications of the civil union, as we were warned after we declared our domestic partnership with the company I work for. (-----)  now has the same full benefits as I.  Once again we'd like to thank you.

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My partner and I have been together for two years and are interested in a Civil Union ceremony in Vermont. We would appreciate and information that you can give us, as we live in Florida. Are there any groups that we can contact that would help us with places to stay, where to go, and what we need to do.  Are there any packages like things to do, places to stay, getting the license, etc.  We would like to come to Vermont for a November 1 union and any help would be greatly appreciated.  (Florida)

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We're getting hitched!  Just sent you an e-vite to our civil union on 9/2/00!  Hooray for love!

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Going to Vermont.  We have plans to return to CA and join the class action lawsuit against the state to recognize our union.  (California)

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I'm sorry about all the prejudice about civil unions. But slowly, things will turn around. I, not being gay, cannot appreciate how mean people can be about that but I have seen it. In the early 60's blacks got the same treatment. But slowly things changed. I wish you all luck.

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Hi.  I have a few questions about civil unions. My girlfriend and I would like to be married or joined in a civil union in November of this year. But we don't know who to contact in Vermont to make the arrangements. How do we find someone there to join us into the union? We've tried search engines for JP's in Vermont and have turned up nothing. I would greatly appreciate anything you can tell me. By the way, is there anything special we need to do before we can be joined ? Such as any blood test type thing. Or do we just show up? Sorry, we're confused as to how all this works. Or how or where we go. Thanks for all your help.

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My name is (-----) and I had some questions on the issue of civil-unions. I'm not a resident of Vermont but my significant other and I are seriously considering taking a road trip to Vermont to get a civil-union done. Please send any information that I will need to make this a reality for the both of us. We both reside in two different states right now and I wanted to know how does being in a civil-union work for people who do not reside in Vermont. Please let me know all the details that I need.

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My partner and I are considering a civil union. I am a legal but not permanent resident of the USA. I work for (-----) and currently I have a H1B visa. He is a citizen of the USA. Will this civil union be valid for me to apply for permanent residence? Any way to find out? (Mississippi)

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I need the address for the town hall of Bennington to apply for a civil union, please. Also I could not get the address for the Second Congregational Church.  Sure would appreciate some help here in VA.  Thanks.  (Virginia)

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My name is (-----) and my girlfriend (-----) and I want to get married legally. What do we do to go about it? Please call us at our business in Miami, FL.  (Florida)

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Hello, and thanks for putting together such a great website!  My partner and I, who live in Rhode Island, want to be joined in a civil union (but we're going to call it "marriage." Because we just moved here in January from Texas, we're not all that familiar with New England. We understand all the "ins and outs" of the civil union law, but don't know where to start regarding choosing a city for the union to be performed. Do you know of any county clerks, etc., who are more "open" to this than others? I know that legally all county clerks must comply, but sometimes "legal" and "reality" are two very different things. Thank you so much for your help. And congratulations on your own union!  We are not planning anything large, really just the two of us. Any suggestions?  (Rhode Island)

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We're both of the same sex, females. The girl I want to marry, or enter in a civil union is from another country. I'm very much in love with her, and we both want to be married, but we don't know what to do.  She comes over on a visa, but then after her time is spent she has to go back to her country.  I want her to stay with me here in the States, and be married. Is there anyway I could marry her, and she could be a citizen? Or enter in a civil union, or something! It's really hard for us to be together, when she has to go back and forth.

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Can you provide me with lesbian JOPs and their e-mail addresses and/or phone numbers? My partner and I need to make speedy marriage arrangements and are trying to locate, preferably, a lesbian JOP in Vermont. We are non-residents so we can get married anywhere throughout Vermont. We will consider gay male JOPs also.

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We are planning to be in Burlington, VT the first week in November. We have been together for 7 years and would like to get married. What do we need to do? (California)

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We are planning on going to Vermont for our 10 year anniversary and would like to have a civil union on October 13. We have the form we need to fill out, but is there anything else we need to know? Thanks.  (Maryland)

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Hello,  My partner and I who reside in New York City, are planning to have a civil union in Brattleboro, VT in October. Is there any way that you can recommend a judge to perform the ceremony who is situated in Brattleboro? Thank you so much.  (New York)

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My partner and I are trying to make arrangements for our civil union ceremony. Which town do you recommend us to go to? (We are from Madison, WI) Can you recommend a JOP in that area? I noticed there are no phone numbers or e-mail addresses listed - how does one get in touch with a JOP? I would appreciate your response at your earliest convenience.  (Wisconsin)

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My partner and I would like to have a 'civil union' (commitment) ceremony in Vermont. We are planning on driving through Vermont over the weekend in the end of October. 1) Are the courthouses open on the weekends to perform the unions (i.e. JOPs available also)? 2) We live in Madison, Wisconsin and are not sure where to go or what parts of the state are gay friendly - any suggestions on places to stay and which courthouse would you recommend? 3) Is it necessary to have witnesses? 4) Please send any information that we will need to make this a reality for the both of us. 5) How does being in a civil-union work for people who do not reside in Vermont? 6) What is required of a resident from another state to have a civil union performed in Vermont? 7) Is there a length of time before a couple can apply for a license? Is the ceremony performed at the time the license is issued? 8) Are there any "official" guidelines for nonresidents? Any information would be greatly appreciated. 9) Can we apply for a civil union license from Wisconsin? 10) Please provide us with information about the towns that perform the Union. I have read about how some City Clerks refuse to give documents to gay couples for the Civil Union. I was advised to go to Burlington for the Civil Union. Below is our address. Could you send me some information please? 11) Again, being a non-resident couple, can we change our names at the same time of the ceremony? If not, can you please direct us to whom we should contact or how we would go about this? 12) Would the license reflect the changed last name, or those prior to the name change? Thank you for all your assistance.  (Wisconsin)

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My partner and I have been together for two years and are interested in a Civil Union ceremony in Vermont. We would appreciate and information that you can give us, as we live in Florida. Are there any groups that we can contact that would help us with places to stay, where to go, and what we need to do. Are there any packages Like things to do, places to stay, getting the license, etc. We would like to come to Vermont for a November 1 union and any help would be greatly appreciated.  (Florida)

Recently, my Lover and I have heard a lot about the progressive laws in Vermont allowing same sex partners to join Civil Unions agreements, allowing some of the same rights as Heterosexuals in a marriage agreement. This has my full attention. My Lover (-----) and I have been in a monogamous relationship for the past 13 & 1/2 years. We have purchased a home together, also established durable power of attorney for one another, joint checking and savings accounts. Basically we have gone about to achieve the American Dream. We are both quite fortunate to have such accepting Family, Friends & CO workers. (-----)'s work even acknowledges Domestic Partnerships, so I am covered by his Health Insurance. When I read that we could actually be Married in Vermont, I was very excited about the thought of getting Married. We have called the Travel Agent and started gathering facts. My question is, I understand this is a legal document, but what is the difference if I get Married in California, or travel to Vermont? Since we live in California is the Certificate of Union from Vermont as good or binding as the one from California?  (California)

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I have followed the civil union issue quite closely, both in the press, tv, radio and general conversation.  It appears that your group has made some significant strides, and, the issue you must admit, has divided our state. Nevertheless - that's what makes America great - we have the freedom to express our beliefs through the legal system.  However, let me respectfully offer my opinion on the current state of affairs as I perceive them. Vermonters have traditionally been a tolerant and fair citizenry. They have known that gays/lesbians have resided harmoniously within our communities for years. I know that many folks in the straight camp were of the "what's it to me?" or "why should I care" mind-set until the Gay Marriage issue came to light. AT THAT POINT, (after the bill was passed) I think all would have blown over, except that the gays seem to be "in our face" {of the straights} all the time. Sort of the opposite of a "sore loser", the "winners" continue to bring it to the attention of the straight community that "we won-nyah, nyah, nyah, nyah, nyah". The straight community has been continually agitated, and I suspect that that as long as the "gay victory" is flaunted, extolled and advertised, the more that that type of activity will cause anger, hatred and perhaps violence. I would suggest a little common sense-cool your jets, tell your zealots to calm down...... live and let live. If you continue to goad the majority, they will to drive you back into the closet. I submit that your group's high level of activity is doing tremendously MORE TO HURT YOUR CAUSE than it is doing to help it.

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We are interested in a fall civil union ceremony. Could you send us some information on lodging- prefer a cottage or cabin... no bed and breakfast.  What town, clerks are gay-friendly?

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Since we got knowledge of the new issues about same gender marriage in Vermont , we, American and Spanish, ask ourselves where in the new law is reflected the cases where one of the members of the couple are from different country of USA. Does INS actually recognize the same gender marriage and let me benefit of my visa after a marriage in Vermont as is with the heterosexual marriages? Could I get the same right to work and prosper as any other American citizen? We have been waiting for years for this. We will appreciate any information you could provide us.   (Spain)

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Just to let you know my husband and I are getting married on July 22,2000 in Seattle WA by (-----) at the (-----) Church.  We are very exited for that day to come with all the preparations we have made.  (Washington)

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Yes, we are planning to go to Vermont for a Civil Union.  We would like information about the towns that perform the Union.  I've read about how some City Clerks refuse to give documents to gay couples for the Civil Union.  I was advised to go to Burlington for the Civil Union.  We live in New York City.  Could you send me some information please?  (New York)

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My partner (of 14 years) and I would like to go to Vermont this Fall to be joined in a civil union. I have read the requirements as outlined by the "Vermont Secretary of State's Guide to Civil Unions in Vermont", but am not sure how to find a justice of the peace or judge who will perform the union. Can you refer me to someone in Vermont? We live in California, so I would like to arrange as many details in advance as possible. Can we apply for the license from California, or do we have to wait until we arrive in Vermont? Thank you in advance for any information you can share.  (California)

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Hi, My name is (-----).  My lover & I are coming to Vermont in November to get married. I'm not sure how to plan or where to go to do this! We are planning to bring 15 people or so to witness our Wedding!  Any information you could provide me with the arrangement of us coming to do this. Please send any and all information you can!

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Hi, my name is (-----) and my spouse's name is (-----). we are wondering how to go about getting a civil union in Vermont. If you can let us know, we'd love to come to visit the state.

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I am from Israel. I am a temporary resident, I do have an American girlfriend for the last 3 years. I will appreciate it if you can send me some information so I can understand if it is possible by the Vermont new law, I can apply to immigration as a gay married couple and get my green card. (Israel)

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Is it possible to obtain a license and have a ceremony performed in one day without much planning? My partner and I will be vacationing in Massachusetts on our way (by car) to Nova Scotia in August, and I am trying to talk him into stopping off in Vermont. I do not do this lightly. We will be together 15 years this August and we have a jointly adopted 10 year old son. He may agree, but probably not until the last minute, hence my question. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

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Are civil unions in Vermont applicable even for foreigners, not citizens of your country?

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You're sick.

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Hello, (-----) and I wanted to make our way out to Vermont again. Basically I was just wondering if you could  give us some advice on what would be the best town to come to and some information on where we need to go to get the license and have a judge sign it.  Any kind of advice you could give would help. Thanks.

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Could you please tell me if homosexual couples who have been joined in a civil union will be afforded the same rights as married heterosexuals in regard to filing a joint bankruptcy?

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Thank you so much! I have looked for some time for information on this ...... and now I finally have something 'solid' to go on! I really appreciate all your help!

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I realize that Maine will not recognize a Civil Union that takes place in Vermont (yet), however, I have been looking for information regarding "out-of-staters" coming into Vermont to participate in a Civil Union. Is there any information on this yet? Is there a problem with doing this? Can you give me a starting place? I really don't even know where to begin.  Thanks .... and great web-site!!!!  (Maine)

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Hi, my partner and I are going on our honeymoon in July. We want to go to Vermont to get married if we can. Do you have any advice or know if we can even do the civil union thing since we live out of state? Thank you.

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Nasty.  Sick, That is what this is. How in world could you ever justify being gay. I would and will remove my child from this planet if I ever knew for sure they were gay ...........

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Hi! My name is (-----) and I am a resident in the state of Texas.  I have been following up closely on the civil union for gay/lesbians and I personally think it's great that we finally have an opportunity to practice our rights.   I would please like in any way possible receive more information or guidance concerning this bill and what is needed in order for me to take the first step in pursuing the transmittal of a civil union license.  My boyfriend and I have been together for 8 yrs. and we have yet to accomplish something even as close to being married or forming a civil union.   Like I said we would really appreciate any information and guidance as to how to begin or where to begin processing a license.  (Texas)

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Hello, I came to your web site to research same-sex marriages for a paper I'm doing at school. I just wrote to say how helpful this site has been. And to also say that I do support same-sex marriages.  (California)