In 1999, GLAD won a ruling from the Vermont Supreme Court that recognized the right for same-sex couples to have their relationships afforded the same legal benefits, protections, and obligations as marriage under Vermont law, and ordered the Vermont legislature to remedy existing inequalities, leading to Vermont’s landmark Civil Union law.  A civil union is a comprehensive legal status parallel to civil marriage for all purposes under Vermont state law.  Spouses in a civil union will enjoy the same state law protections and responsibilities in Vermont as are available to spouses in a Vermont marriage.