I think this continues to show that the most effective tool in the arsenal of gays and lesbians seeking equality is simply coming out. While it may not be easy for everyone, or safe, the ongoing thing I hear that has changed hearts and minds is people actually knowing someone - a child, sibling, parent, friend - who is gay, and who is effected by the discrimination of the State.
Lloyd Hara is a pretty nice guy. I've had an opportunity to talk to him on several occasions, and I was surprised the Times dug up something so antique. I'm glad he wrote the letter, good for him for speaking up!
I remember the movie "Some Like It Hot." In it, the idea of a marriage between two men was treated as something hilariously absurd. That was the attitude back then: same sex marriage was just... absurd. It took many years of questioning why we felt that way, and whether it really made sense, to get to where we are now.
Just keep that in mind.
Oh wait... That didn't happen.
It would have to hop over New Hampshire to do that. The 6288-foot altitude of Mt. Washington would make that difficult.
But I see, and fully support, the point you're making. The presence of New Hampshire isn't the reason Vermont's still in place.