You Be You

Justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in Vermont.
26

 school districts have an equity coordinator (2022)

71.7%

percentage of Vermonters living in a municipality that has adopted the Declaration of Inclusion  

5.2%

Percentage of Vermonters who identify as LGBT+  (2019)

48

Number of languages other than English represented in Burlington schools

Vermonters lean in.

Recognizing what needs to change. Committing to a better future. Taking action every day.

Vermont takes pride in being a leader of positive change as the first state to legislatively legalize gay marriage. In 2020, Vermonter Taylor Small became the first openly transgender person to serve in the Vermont Legislature, and in 2022, Vermont Congresswoman Becca Balint became the first woman and the first openly gay person to represent Vermont in the U.S. Congress.  

In 2019, Vermont established a cabinet-level position focused on racial equity—the first such position in the state. In 2021, the Vermont Legislature acknowledged racism as a public health emergency as part of a recommendation from the Racial Equity Task Force due to its impact on public health, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The task force has made other recommendations to the Scott Administration in the areas of housing, language access, public health, emergency response, broadband, employment law, and school discipline.  The Task Force is also encouraging the legislature to make changes to the way hate crime reporting is mandated across agencies and provide more future funding to the Vermont Human Rights Commission.  

There is still work to be done and new data and performance indicators are highlighting the work that must continue. Over the last 10 years, 99.7% of the population growth in Chittenden County has been Hispanic (of any race), Black or African American, Asian, American Indian or Native Hawaiian. 

Vermonters’ understanding of what it means to be a truly diverse and inclusive place is always expanding. Making Vermont a safe place for every resident—from the standpoint of public safety, representation, access to services, a clean environment, personal expression, and more—is our highest priority. 

Gender Affirmation on Birth Certificates: 

On April 6, 2022, Governor Phil Scott signed a bill into law that permits amending a birth certificate to reflect gender identity. Vermont health insurance companies are also required by state law not to exclude coverage for gender-affirming medical care, including surgical treatment for gender dysphoria and related health conditions. 

Declaration of Inclusion: 

The Vermont Declaration of Inclusion invites municipalities to condemn racism, welcome all people, and encourage the breaking down of barriers to justice, equity, and inclusion. As of September 25, 2023, 125 towns and cities, representing more than 70% of Vermont’s population, have adopted the declaration of inclusion.

Committing to the Work: 

In 2022, Judge Nancy Waples was appointed to the Vermont Supreme Court, becoming the first woman of color seated on the state’s highest bench. 

In 2019 Governor Phil Scott appointed Xusana Davis as Vermont’s first Executive Director of Racial Equity. The Racial Equity Advisory Panel is applying the lens of equity impact to all aspects of Vermont, working on IDEAL Vermont, a program aiming to bring cohesion, motivation, and success by bridging efforts to include and boost equity statewide through technical assistance from state agencies, learning opportunities and workshops, and a resource library online. 

Vermont is committed to change.

Vermont is working to end systemic racism, to eliminate the inequities that prevent fair and equal treatment and access to services, and to close the gaps that keep people in poverty. We acknowledge that this work is an ongoing commitment to a better future, and not a short-term initiative. Here are some of the ways Vermont has committed to the work:

 

  • The Vermont State Police has created a program to ensure fair and impartial policing practices at all levels of the state police, while the Vermont Criminal Justice Council requires all public safety agencies to adopt a Model Fair and Impartial Policing Policy.
  • Vermont continues to commit significant federal and state funding to build affordable housing.
  • On April 30, 2021 the Vermont Legislature approved J.R.H.2, a “joint resolution sincerely apologizing and expressing sorrow and regret to all individual Vermonters and their families and descendants who were harmed as a result of State-sanctioned eugenics policies and practices.”
  • The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights has encouraged widespread adoption of Vermont’s system for workplace inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, which has received the Zero Project award.
  • Vermont adopted the Equal Pay Compact in 2015 for employers to help close the gender wage gap in Vermont.
  • Vermont continues to focus deeply on addiction treatment with the innovative hub and spoke network.

Breaking Ground and Standing Firm

Meet Vermonters who share their strength, tell their stories, and work for equity.

Poetry for Change

Muslim Girls Making Change dazzle audiences with slam poetry dedicated to social justice.

Further Reading

Small Towns, Healthy Places: Outdoor Recreation in Community Spaces

Small Towns, Healthy Places: Outdoor Recreation in Community Spaces

Healthy communities require safe streets and sidewalks; inclusive gathering places and green spaces for everyone to enjoy; and easy access to medical services and fresh food. If you live in a rural town in America, these things can be hard to come by. Join Suzanne...

Within Community, We Cultivate Joy

Within Community, We Cultivate Joy

By Jesse Anderson When I sat down to write this blog, I pondered the question, “how do I share the enormous impact being outdoors as a black woman has had on my life?” As you may imagine, it is hard to do so, yet I embark on this storytelling journey to give you a...

Relocation Testimonials

People relocate to Vermont for easier access to the outdoors, to build a life in a safe, accessible, small community, and to achieve a healthier life/work balance. Discover what drew a handful of Vermont residents to their new home through their testimonials. 

Resources and Tools

Use these resources to find your way, feel welcomed, and get connected in Vermont.