The trials that are now finally questioning the treatment of gay and lesbian couples are easily compared to those of inter-racial marriages.
One example is the famous case of Loving vs. Virginia. In this case, a white man and black woman were married in Washington D.C.,
however, their home state of Virginia fused to recognize the marriage and exiled them for twenty years. Later when they took the state of Virginia to court it was decided that they could not be denied the right to live where they pleased due to their inter-racial marriage (Oyez 1).
This court decision is arguably one of the strongest forces in nation-wide legal recognition of inter-racial marriages.
It is evident that the same-sex civil unions that are now being recognized in Vermont are slowly making the way for other states to join the movement.
The Baker vs. Vermont case is a strong reminder of the troubles America once faced. Separate but equal is inherently unequal and unfair.