Take Back Vermont
Encyclopedia
Take Back Vermont was a slogan and associated movement that attained prominence in the U.S. state of Vermont
in the year 2000. The movement was triggered by the state legislature
's passage of a civil unions bill
in 2000. Its aim, though, was wider than repealing the civil unions law. It was also a counter-reaction to the state's changing demographics, particularly the arrival of large numbers of affluent, liberal, Democratic residents from out-of-state (so-called 'flatlanders'). Ruth Dwyer, the Republican nominee for governor that year who was closely identified with the movement, spoke of "a clash of outlooks" with the other side consisting of "new people who make the rules for others and don't listen".
Signs bearing the words "Take Back Vermont" were printed by the thousands and were sold for $5 apiece. They were a regular fixture on roadside barns, garages and front porches, most prominently in Orange and Washington
counties. Some were still displayed ten years later.
ruled in Baker v. State that existing prohibitions on same-sex marriage were a violation of rights granted by the Vermont Constitution. As a result, the Vermont legislature was ordered to either allow same-sex marriages, or implement an alternative legal mechanism according similar rights. The legislature ultimately voted to enact civil unions but only after months of heated and acrimonious debate. The controversy touched every corner of the state as residents expressed their views through public meetings, lobbying campaigns and placards.
Like the civil unions debate, the presence of Take Back Vermont signs was deeply polarizing.
. Howard Dean
, the Democratic governor who had signed the civil unions bill, faced a challenge from Ruth Dwyer, a Republican running on a platform closely tied to the Take Back Vermont movement. Dean, actively opposing the Take Back Vermont movement, won re-election but Republicans managed to win a majority in the state's House of Representatives
. Indeed, the House voted the following year to outlaw same-sex marriages, although the Democratic-controlled Senate killed that measure.
In the longer term, the movement was largely unsuccessful. The legislature revisited the issue of rights for gay couples in 2009, when it debated and ultimately passed a same-sex marriage bill. Take Back Vermont signs made an appearance then as well, although to a far lesser extent. The 2009 debate on marriage was notable for being far less divisive than the 2000 debate on civil unions.
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
in the year 2000. The movement was triggered by the state legislature
Vermont General Assembly
The Vermont General Assembly is the legislative body of the U.S. state of Vermont. The Legislature is formally known as the "General Assembly," but the style of "Legislature" is commonly used, including by the body itself...
's passage of a civil unions bill
Civil unions in Vermont
Same-sex marriage in Vermont began on September 1, 2009. Vermont was the first state to introduce civil unions in July 2000, and the first state to introduce same-sex marriage by enacting a statute without being required to do so by a court decision....
in 2000. Its aim, though, was wider than repealing the civil unions law. It was also a counter-reaction to the state's changing demographics, particularly the arrival of large numbers of affluent, liberal, Democratic residents from out-of-state (so-called 'flatlanders'). Ruth Dwyer, the Republican nominee for governor that year who was closely identified with the movement, spoke of "a clash of outlooks" with the other side consisting of "new people who make the rules for others and don't listen".
Signs bearing the words "Take Back Vermont" were printed by the thousands and were sold for $5 apiece. They were a regular fixture on roadside barns, garages and front porches, most prominently in Orange and Washington
Washington County, Vermont
Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Vermont. As of 2010, the population was 59,534; Vermont's third-most populous county after Chittenden County and Rutland County. Its shire town is Montpelier, the state capital. The center of population of Vermont is located in Washington...
counties. Some were still displayed ten years later.
Background
In December 1999, the Vermont Supreme CourtVermont Supreme Court
The Vermont Supreme Court is the highest judicial authority of the U.S. state of Vermont and is one of seven state courts of Vermont.The Court consists of a chief justice and four associate justices; the Court mostly hears appeals of cases that have been decided by other courts...
ruled in Baker v. State that existing prohibitions on same-sex marriage were a violation of rights granted by the Vermont Constitution. As a result, the Vermont legislature was ordered to either allow same-sex marriages, or implement an alternative legal mechanism according similar rights. The legislature ultimately voted to enact civil unions but only after months of heated and acrimonious debate. The controversy touched every corner of the state as residents expressed their views through public meetings, lobbying campaigns and placards.
Like the civil unions debate, the presence of Take Back Vermont signs was deeply polarizing.
Impact
The movement was inherently political and it defined the 2000 election in the state, particularly the gubernatorial raceVermont gubernatorial election, 2000
The 2000 Vermont gubernatorial election took place on November 7, 2000. Incumbent Governor Howard Dean won re-election. The campaign was dominated by the fallout from the passage of a civil union bill and the subsequent backlash encapsulated by the slogan Take Back Vermont...
. Howard Dean
Howard Dean
Howard Brush Dean III is an American politician and physician from Vermont. He served six terms as the 79th Governor of Vermont and ran unsuccessfully for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination. He was chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 2005 to 2009. Although his U.S...
, the Democratic governor who had signed the civil unions bill, faced a challenge from Ruth Dwyer, a Republican running on a platform closely tied to the Take Back Vermont movement. Dean, actively opposing the Take Back Vermont movement, won re-election but Republicans managed to win a majority in the state's House of Representatives
Vermont House of Representatives
The Vermont House of Representatives is the lower house of the Vermont General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Vermont. The House comprises 150 members. Vermont legislative districting divides representing districts into 66 single-member districts and 42 two-member...
. Indeed, the House voted the following year to outlaw same-sex marriages, although the Democratic-controlled Senate killed that measure.
In the longer term, the movement was largely unsuccessful. The legislature revisited the issue of rights for gay couples in 2009, when it debated and ultimately passed a same-sex marriage bill. Take Back Vermont signs made an appearance then as well, although to a far lesser extent. The 2009 debate on marriage was notable for being far less divisive than the 2000 debate on civil unions.