The House of Representatives of Vermont has introduced a concurrent resolution in memory of the Venerable J. Stannard Baker, a prominent figure in the state's history and a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. Baker, a graduate of Swarthmore College, co-founded the Otter Creek School and served as a mental health counselor and clinical director in Addison and Chittenden Counties. He and his partner, Peter Harrigan, were instrumental in the landmark 1999 Vermont Supreme Court case, Baker v. State, which established marriage equality in Vermont, leading to the enactment of civil unions and later, civil marriage for same-gender couples.

Baker was also a dedicated member of the Episcopal Church, serving in various leadership roles, including as a deacon and chaplain. He passed away in June 2025 at the age of 79, leaving behind his husband and many family members and friends who admired him. The resolution expresses the General Assembly's condolences to Baker's family and friends and directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to them and to the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont.