Vermont's Freedom to Marry says it's mission is accomplished. Photo:

Vermont's Freedom to Marry says it's mission is accomplished. Photo:

MONTPELIER, Vt. — The Vermont Freedom to Marry Task Force, which in 2009 pushed for and won passage of the country’s first same-sex marriage law not directly forced by a court, say its work is done and it’s disbanding.

The task force was formed in 1996 by Beth Robinson, now a Vermont Supreme Court justice, and Susan Murray, with hopes of achieving civil marriage equality in Vermont.

In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June that same-sex couples can get married anywhere in the country, the group says its mission is complete.

Sheryl Rapée-Adams, chairwoman of the task force, said Thursday that Vermont’s leadership role in the marriage-equality movement was an example of what people can accomplish when they “join together with determination and perseverance to gain civil rights.”

© 2015, Associated Press, All Rights Reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.