Stan Baker, one of the plaintiffs whose court case led to civil unions in Vermont has died.
Baker and his partner Peter Harrigan were one of three couples who took the issue of gay marriage to the Vermont Supreme Court in 1999.
The court then ruled unanimously that the state could not deny the same rights and protections offered to straight couples -- to gay and lesbian couples.
The result of the Baker Decision is viewed by legal experts as a key building block for what eventually became full, nationwide marriage rights.
I knew Stan, he was an absolutely lovely human being. Really someone who brought class and peace to everyone and everything he did.