This column will be significantly more challenging to complete as most of us have never been asked to consider the lives of sexual minorities with as much thought as we have been asked to reflect upon the experiences of racial minorities. Students might write that same-sex couples would be limited in terms of where, when, and to whom they could go to secure a separate but equal partnership license. The group of six representing the state legislature should participate in this activity, but should generate questions raised by the separate but equal issue that they can later pose to the advisory panel. An International Human Rights Perspective Ask groups to turn next to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Emphasize that, as opposed to civil or legal rights, human rights are defined as those basic standards people need to live in dignity.
Human rights are the rights people have simply because they are human.
Ask groups to consider whether or not they feel that the spirit of the UDHR compels governments to extend full marriage rights to all people, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender couples. Instruct each group to survey the documents and discuss this question. Remind students that their ultimate goal is to make an informed recommendation to the legislature, so they should take notes and begin to articulate their thoughts. As stated earlier, the six legislators should discuss the documents and record important questions in anticipation of the presentations to come. Each group will therefore be asked to study the same-sex union practices of two or three nations in an attempt to understand better the issue at hand and to make a more informed recommendation to Vermont lawmakers.