On Wed., April 19th at 4:30pm in Dana Auditorium, Middlebury College will host the first Addison County screening of the documentary film “The State of Marriage.” The film draws on archival footage and recent interviews to tell the gripping story of the remarkable men and women who pioneered the marriage equality movement through their groundbreaking efforts in Vermont. The work of Susan Murray and Beth Robinson, then attorneys in Middlebury, is featured as they work through the legal system and create a grassroots movement, all the while facing stiff opposition to the idea of gays and lesbians marrying legally.

There will be a question and answer segment following with filmmakers Jeff Kaufman and Marcia Ross and key participants in the Vermont Supreme Court case, Baker v. State, including attorney Susan Murray and plaintiffs Lois Farnham and Holly Putterbaugh. The event is cosponsored by Middlebury College Special Collections & Archives, the Chellis House – Women’s Resource Center, the Film & Media Culture and Political Science Departments, and Middlebury College Queers & Allies.

The Huffington Post wrote that “The State of Marriage” is, “Gripping. Audiences will cheer...” and the Hollywood Reporter described it as, “Indispensable. A suspenseful nail-biter right up to the feel-good ending.” Free and open to the public. Free popcorn too!

Dec 31, 2024, 6 PM to 12 AM, Jan 1, 2025

Jan 3, 2025, 6 to 7:30 PM

Jan 4, 2025, 9 AM to 12 PM