Rock Point School in 25th Anniversary Reflections on Civil Unions Law

This month marks a powerful milestone: the 25th anniversary of Vermont’s groundbreaking civil unions law—the first in the nation to provide same-sex couples with legal recognition. While much has changed over the past quarter-century, we believe it’s just as important today to remember the individuals and organizations who stood up early for equity and inclusion.

That’s why we were especially proud to see our friends and longtime client, Rock Point School, recognized in the Seven Days deputy publisher’s reflection on this historic moment. Rock Point’s values-centered education and unwavering commitment to creating a safe, inclusive community for all students were evident then, as they are today. At a time when taking a public stand on LGBTQ+ rights came with real risk, Rock Point chose courage and compassion.

Their inclusion in this special anniversary issue is a meaningful acknowledgment of the school's legacy of allyship—and a reminder that changemaking starts at home, often well before the national spotlight arrives.

As Deputy Publisher Cathy Resmer wrote in her editorial introduction to the Seven Days commemorative issue:

"Vermont's civil union law was passed 25 years ago, sparking the nationwide march to marriage equality..."

We encourage you to read both the From the Publisher column and the featured article, Vermont's Civil Union Law Was Passed 25 Years Ago, Sparking the Nationwide March to Marriage Equality, which reflect on how far we’ve come—and the voices that helped lead the way.

Photo credit: Farragutful, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons