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Vermonters who believe in medical choice and open debate now have a social media gathering space created specifically to meet their needs.
The Vermont Back Porch, a project of Vermont Stands Up, officially opened for business early this month. Focused on connecting Vermonters who believe in practicing freedom and unity, the Back Porch offers spaces where members can share resources and discuss topics ranging from agriculture and land use issues to space weather, from homesteading to informed consent.
The diversity of subjects offered on the Back Porch reflect the range of issues that unite the organization’s original members. As director Amy Hornblas explains: “We are a growing community of folks who are unable to use the mainstream channels for doing our work.”
Founded during Covid, Vermont Stands Up grew out of a need for human connection and understanding. From all backgrounds and political perspectives, members gathered in-person and found common ground around the importance of defending health choice.
“During Covid, even the bulletin boards were censored. However, today posters for our events are still being removed in many places. When bulletin boards, the press and social media platforms are all censoring you, it’s hard to get the word out” explains Hornblas.
The Covid Emergency officially ended in 2023. However, Vermont Stands Up’s email list has continued to grow and members have become more active than ever. VSU has stepped up to meet the need, sending out updates on various issues and events sponsored by other organizations who’ve shared the same obstacle.
“Vermont Stands Up has become a hub because our members are also involved in various other organizations and causes, all of whom are facing the same obstacles with communication.”
Craving connection and understanding, many of Vermont Stands Up members have tried participating on other platforms, only to find their posts are deleted and their ideas are attacked, sometimes by teams of “bots” who aren’t even real humans, let alone neighbors.
Vermont Back Porch is focused on meeting the need for connection with real, human neighbors. Their website advertises, “Stop fighting and start building with your neighbors.” The goal is to gather like-minded folks who are interested in being proactive in shaping a better future.
The new platform will not only help organize and galvanize members in support of actions to protect health choice, open debate and other related issues, but it will also enable such events to be live-streamed.
Health Freedom Day at the Vermont State House on February 3rd, 2026 is one such event. The day will include testimony by Children’s Health Defense CEO, Mary Holland, a press conference and educational sessions. For those who cannot attend in person, members of the Back Porch can register to watch the day’s events online.
To learn more about becoming a member of Vermont’s Back Porch, please visit the website: vermontbackporch.net.
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Categories: Media
Bulletin boards were censored?? Terrifying. Best of everything to the Back Porch!
And I’m PROUD to be one of the many who are banned from Front Porch Fuhrer….I mean Forum.
And don’t forget all those “grants” the FPF gets through the VT Council On Rural Development, as well as all their private donations……Zowie. $$$! Wonder where much of that might get funneled…..
To be clear, when bulletin boards, the press and social media platforms are all deleting your posts -which is their prerogative, it’s their private space, after all and they can make the rules – it does make our work more difficult. That is why we decided to get in on the action and start our own platform.
Thank you to all of our members and supporters who have helped us get this far. You’re the best, and you are going to love meeting and working with each other as we build a better world.
~Amy
I would question whether it’s their “perogative” as they take federal and state funds. There are a variety of programs with varied regulations attached to them. Many are unfair and possibly unConstitutional. When I was called derogatory (not in my opinion per se) names on FPF and then kicked off because I spoke my mind, I did some research. In my opinion, if you take any federal funds you should have to follow the same rules as the government from whom you are taking money. Which means not violating my First Amendment Rights. If FOF had not taken any grant or relief money, then I would absolutely uphold their perogative. JMHO.
Hi Amy,
Is this platform going to encourage school choice?
Yes!
I signed up. I stand up every day. I pray that this effort will go viral. It seems social media is super powerful but still not truly grassroots, as folks pick their apps or opt off. We need a way forward for the heart and soul of humanity to be the dominant voice. The system is wired against us.
Dexter, great to see you on the Back Porch!!
I have tried every day to submit an announcement on the communist Front Porch Forum and every day it never gets posted. What is interesting is that I don’t get an email from them on why they won’t post it (because I’m not going against their guidelines) but they are totally crickets! I will continue EVERY day to resubmit my announcement until they respond in one way or another.
My ritual is to submit my announcement right after I receive their email with the daily listings which is devoid of my post.