William J. Lippert, Jr. | |
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Member of the VermontHouseofRepresentatives from the Chittenden-4-2 district | |
Assumed office April 13, 1994 | |
Preceded by | Chuck Ross |
Personal details | |
Born | Port Trevorton,Pennsylvania,U.S. | January 18,1950
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | Enrique Peredo |
Residence(s) | Hinesburg,Vermont,U.S. |
William J. Lippert,Jr.,commonly known as Bill Lippert,is a legislator and gay rights activist from the U.S. state of Vermont who has served since 1994 in the Vermont House of Representatives as state representative of the Town of Hinesburg. He served as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee for ten years,and now serves as chairman of the House Health Care Committee.
Lippert grew up in Pennsylvania and graduated from Earlham College in 1972 with a B.A. in History. Lippert attended Antioch/New England Graduate School,and graduated in 1979 with an M.A. in Counseling Psychology. He has lived in Vermont since 1972,and moved to Hinesburg in 1979. [1]
In the early 1970s,he helped form the state's first gay men's support group and,in 1983,Lippert worked with others to organize Vermont's first gay pride rally in Burlington. In 1989,Lippert helped to establish Outright Vermont,an organization dedicated to serving the needs of lesbian,gay,bisexual,and transgender youth. [1] Later,he was involved in lobbying for Vermont's gay civil rights bill,which passed the legislature and was signed into law by Governor Howard Dean in 1992.
In 1992,along with community activist David Curtis,Lippert founded the Samara Foundation of Vermont,an LGBT community foundation whose mission was "to improve the quality of life of Vermont's lesbian,gay,bisexual and transgender citizens." Lippert served as the executive director of the Samara Foundation,and later as senior foundation officer. Samara Foundation is now the Samara Fund for LGBT Issues of the Vermont Community Foundation. [1]
For twenty years prior to serving in the Vermont legislature,Lippert worked in community mental health services,serving as a psychotherapist and substance abuse counselor,and for ten years as the Executive Director of the Counseling Service of Addison County. In 1996,Lippert resigned as CSAC Executive Director to continue his legislative career and grow the Samara Foundation of Vermont.
In April,1994,Lippert was appointed by Governor Howard Dean to fill a vacant seat representing Hinesburg in the Vermont House of Representatives. The seat had been held by Democrat Chuck Ross,who resigned on being appointed U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy's state director. Lippert was elected to a full term in Nov.,1994 and has been re-elected biennially ever since. The 2015–16 biennium is his eleventh full term in the legislature.
In the year 2000,as the vice chair of the House Judiciary Committee,and as the General Assembly's only openly gay member,Lippert was central to the work of drafting and passing into law the landmark Vermont civil union law which granted legal recognition to same gender couples. Following passage of the civil union law,the Vermont Democratic Party faced a backlash and lost its majority in the House. Subsequently,Lippert lost his position as vice chair of the Judiciary Committee,though he easily won re-election to his seat in the House.
Following the 2004 election,the Democrats regained their House majority and Lippert was appointed to chair the Judiciary Committee by House Speaker Gaye Symington.
In 2006,Lippert was the lead sponsor of the Transgender Non-discrimination Bill in the House. Work on this bill had been postponed in 2000 following the December,1999 VT Supreme Court's Baker v. State decision,which unexpectedly sent the debate for same-sex marriage to the Vermont legislature for resolution. Despite passage by the House and the Senate,Gov. Jim Douglas vetoed the Transgender Non-discrimination legislation. Lippert sponsored this civil rights bill again in 2007,ultimately securing passage and signature by Gov. Douglas,following minor changes to the bill.
In 2009,Lippert chaired the House hearings on full Marriage Equality,and led its successful passage by the House on a vote of 94-52. Despite strong votes and passage by both the Senate (26-4) and the House (94-52),Gov. Jim Douglas vetoed the Marriage Equality bill on April 6,2009. In Vermont,overriding a governor's veto requires a two thirds majority,not a simple majority of fifty percent. On April 7,2009,the Senate overrode the veto on a vote of 23-5. Lippert worked with House leadership to marshall enough House votes,and the House followed suit,overriding the governor's veto 100-49. As a result,full Marriage Equality became Vermont law on April 7,2009,with marriages taking place beginning on September 1,2009.
Lippert continued to serve as chair of the House Judiciary Committee through 2014. In 2015,Lippert was appointed by House Speaker Shap Smith to chair the House Health Care Committee.
Lippert's legislative work to achieve Civil Unions in 2000 was prominently featured in Civil Wars:A Battle for Gay Marriage - David Moats,Harcourt,Inc.,2004. Editorial Page Editor of the Rutland Herald,Moats received the 2001 Pulitzer Prize for his 2000 editorial series covering the Civil Unions controversy in Vermont.
We Do!:American Leaders Who Believe in Marriage Equality - Madeleine Kunin &Jennifer Baumgardner,Editors,2013 featured Lippert's April 15,2000 Civil Unions speech on the House floor in its anthology of marriage equality speeches and interviews.
Freedom &Unity:The Vermont Movie,Part Four,"Doers and Shapers," Nora Jacobson,2013,presents "institutions and people who push boundaries" - including Rep. Ron Squires,Vermont's first openly gay legislator,and Lippert's involvement in the Vermont gay rights movement.
The recently premiered (June,2015) documentary film, The State of Marriage (Jeff Kaufman,Director/Producer [2] ),also features Lippert's work from 2000 - 2009 for same-sex marriage in the Vermont legislature.
Lippert has also notably advocated for "Driving Under the Influence" to be set at a blood alcohol content of 0.05%,roughly two drinks within one hour for a 150-pound person. [3] Passage would make Vermont the most restrictive state in the US with respect to BAC limits. [4] Lippert introduced a bill in 2013,which has not become law. [3]
On May 12,2007,Lippert received national attention when a Fox News crew,on behalf of the program The O'Reilly Factor ,interrupted his breakfast in the Vermont statehouse cafeteria to demand why he had supported transgender rights but did not support Jessica's Law,for which host Bill O'Reilly is an advocate. Fox News:"Rep. Lippert,why do you care more about transgender rights than the safety of Vermont's children?" Lippert was a central figure in passing similar child protection legislation earlier that same week. [5] Ultimately,the Fox News crew was escorted out of the statehouse by security. [5] The exchange was broadcast on Fox News on May 14,2007 (resulting in hundreds of hateful emails to Lippert from all across the country). Later that day,in response to the incident,fellow lawmakers honored Lippert in the well of the House with a standing ovation. [6]
Lippert now serves as one of six openly gay members of the Vermont Legislature.
Lippert is married (2009) to his spouse,Enrique S. Peredo,Jr. of Toto,Guam. [1] They live together in Hinesburg,Vermont.
This is a list of notable events in the history of LGBT rights that took place in the year 2005.
Same-sex marriage has been legal in Vermont since September 1,2009. Vermont was the first state to introduce civil unions on July 1,2000,and the first state to introduce same-sex marriage by enacting a statute without being required to do so by a court decision. Same-sex marriage became legal earlier as the result of court decisions,not legislation,in four states:Massachusetts,California,Connecticut,and Iowa.
Same-sex marriage has been legally recognized in New Jersey since October 21,2013,the effective date of a trial court ruling invalidating the state's restriction of marriage to persons of different sexes. In September 2013,Mary C. Jacobson,Assignment Judge of the Mercer Vicinage of the Superior Court,ruled that as a result of the U.S. Supreme Court's June 2013 decision in United States v. Windsor,the Constitution of New Jersey requires the state to recognize same-sex marriages. The Windsor decision held that the federal government was required to provide the same benefits to same-sex couples who were married under state law as to other married couples. Therefore,the state court reasoned in Garden State Equality v. Dow that,because same-sex couples in New Jersey were limited to civil unions,which are not recognized as marriages under federal law,the state must permit civil marriage for same-sex couples. This ruling,in turn,relied on the 2006 decision of the New Jersey Supreme Court in Lewis v. Harris that the state was constitutionally required to afford the rights and benefits of marriage to same-sex couples. The Supreme Court had ordered the New Jersey Legislature to correct the constitutional violation,by permitting either same-sex marriage or civil unions with all the rights and benefits of marriage,within 180 days. In response,the Legislature passed a bill to legalize civil unions on December 21,2006,which became effective on February 19,2007.
The rights of lesbian,gay,bisexual,and transgender (LGBT) people in the U.S. state of Utah have significantly evolved in the 21st century. Protective laws have become increasingly enacted since 2014,despite the state's reputation as socially conservative and highly religious. Same-sex marriage has been legal since the state's ban was ruled unconstitutional by federal courts in 2014. In addition,statewide anti-discrimination laws now cover sexual orientation and gender identity in employment and housing,and the use of conversion therapy on minors is prohibited. In spite of this,there are still a few differences between the treatment of LGBT people and the rest of the population,and the rights of transgender youth are restricted.
Same-sex marriage has been legal in Hawaii since December 2,2013. The Hawaii State Legislature held a special session beginning on October 28,2013,and passed the Hawaii Marriage Equality Act legalizing same-sex marriage. Governor Neil Abercrombie signed the legislation on November 13,and same-sex couples began marrying on December 2. Hawaii also allows both same-sex and opposite-sex couples to formalize their relationships legally in the form of civil unions and reciprocal beneficiary relationships. Civil unions provide the same rights,benefits,and obligations of marriage at the state level,while reciprocal beneficiary relationships provide a more limited set of rights.
Equality California (EQCA) is a non-profit civil rights organization that advocates for the rights of LGBT people in California. It is the largest statewide LGBT organization in the United States and the largest member of the Equality Federation. The organization is based in Los Angeles.
Lesbian,gay,bisexual,and transgender (LGBT) persons in the U.S. state of New Hampshire enjoy the same rights as non-LGBT residents,with most advances in LGBT rights occurring in the state within the past two decades. Same-sex sexual activity is legal in New Hampshire,and the state began offering same-sex couples the option of forming a civil union on January 1,2008. Civil unions offered most of the same protections as marriages with respect to state law,but not the federal benefits of marriage. Same-sex marriage in New Hampshire has been legally allowed since January 1,2010,and one year later New Hampshire's civil unions expired,with all such unions converted to marriages. New Hampshire law has also protected against discrimination based on sexual orientation since 1998 and gender identity since 2018. Additionally,a conversion therapy ban on minors became effective in the state in January 2019. Effective from January 1,2024,the archaic common-law "gay panic defence" will formally be abolished - by legislation implemented within August 2023.
Equality Maryland (EQMD) is a non-profit organization formerly headquartered in Silver Spring,Maryland,now based in Baltimore. It is the largest organization in Maryland whose activities focus on advocacy and education with regard to LGBT social and political movements. Its mission includes:the passage of laws prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation,gender expression,and gender identity;the expansion of Maryland's hate-crimes statute;the increase of domestic partner benefits;the legal recognition of same-sex marriage in Maryland and laws banning the practice of conversion therapy on minors.
This is a list of notable events in the history of LGBT rights that took place in the year 2009.
Lesbian,gay,bisexual,and transgender (LGBT) persons in the U.S. state of Nevada enjoy the same rights as non-LGBT Nevadans. Same-sex marriage has been legal since October 8,2014,due to the federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in Sevcik v. Sandoval. Same-sex couples may also enter a domestic partnership status that provides many of the same rights and responsibilities as marriage. However,domestic partners lack the same rights to medical coverage as their married counterparts and their parental rights are not as well defined. Same-sex couples are also allowed to adopt,and state law prohibits unfair discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity,among other categories,in employment,housing and public accommodations. In addition,conversion therapy on minors is outlawed in the state.
Lesbian,gay,bisexual,and transgender (LGBT) persons in the U.S. state of Louisiana may face some legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Louisiana as a result of the US Supreme Court decision in Lawrence v. Texas,although the state legislature has not repealed its sodomy laws. Same-sex marriage has been recognized in the state since June 2015 as a result of the Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges.
Lesbian,gay,bisexual,and transgender (LGBT) people in the U.S. state of West Virginia face legal challenges not faced by non-LGBT persons. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal since 1976,and same-sex marriage has been recognized since October 2014. West Virginia statutes do not address discrimination on account of sexual orientation or gender identity;however,the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County established that employment discrimination against LGBT people is illegal.
Lesbian,gay,bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons in the U.S. state of Delaware enjoy the same legal protections as non-LGBT persons. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal in Delaware since January 1,1973. On January 1,2012,civil unions became available to same-sex couples,granting them the "rights,benefits,protections,and responsibilities" of married persons. Delaware legalized same-sex marriage on July 1,2013.
Lesbian,gay,bisexual,and transgender (LGBT) persons in New Jersey have the same rights as non-LGBT people. LGBT persons in New Jersey enjoy strong protections from discrimination,and have had the right to marry since October 21,2013.
California is seen as one of the most liberal states in the U.S. in regard to lesbian,gay,bisexual,transgender (LGBT) rights,which have received nationwide recognition since the 1970s. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal in the state since 1976. Discrimination protections regarding sexual orientation and gender identity or expression were adopted statewide in 2003. Transgender people are also permitted to change their legal gender on official documents without any medical interventions,and mental health providers are prohibited from engaging in conversion therapy on minors.
The establishment of lesbian,gay,bisexual,and transgender (LGBT) rights in the U.S. state of Vermont is a recent occurrence,with most progress having taken place in the late 20th and the early 21st centuries. Vermont was one of 37 U.S. states,along with the District of Columbia,that issued marriage licenses to same-sex couples until the landmark Supreme Court ruling of Obergefell v. Hodges, establishing equal marriage rights for same-sex couples nationwide.
Lesbian,gay,bisexual,and transgender (LGBT) persons in the U.S. state of Hawaii enjoy the same rights as non-LGBT people. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal since 1973;Hawaii being one of the first six states to legalize it. In 1993,a ruling by the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court made Hawaii the first state to consider legalizing same-sex marriage. Following the approval of the Hawaii Marriage Equality Act in November 2013,same-sex couples have been allowed to marry on the islands. Additionally,Hawaii law prohibits discrimination on the basis of both sexual orientation and gender identity,and the use of conversion therapy on minors has been banned since July 2018. Gay and lesbian couples enjoy the same rights,benefits and treatment as opposite-sex couples,including the right to marry and adopt.
Lesbian,gay,bisexual,and transgender (LGBT) persons in the U.S. commonwealth of Kentucky still face some legal challenges not experienced by other people. Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Kentucky,although the state legislature has not repealed its sodomy statute for same-sex couples. Same sex-marriage is legal in the Kentucky under the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges. The decision,which struck down Kentucky's statutory and constitutional bans on same-sex marriages,and all other same sex marriage bans elsewhere in the country,was handed down on June 26,2015.
The Hawaii Marriage Equality Act of 2013 is legislation passed by the Hawaii State Legislature as Senate Bill 1 (SB1) and signed by Governor Neil Abercrombie which legalized same-sex marriage in the U.S. state of Hawaii. Prior to the bill's enactment,same-sex couples in the state of Hawaii were allowed to form civil unions or reciprocal beneficiary relationships;however,civil unions are both legally limited to civil officials in their performance and unrecognized by the federal government,and RBRs are even more limited by the rights and privileges accorded.
The Marriage Equality Act is a 2009 Vermont state law which legalized the officiating of marriages between same-sex couples in the state. The law went into effect on September 1,2009. Vermont became the fourth state to legalize same-sex marriage,the first to do so by legislation rather than a court ruling.
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