Same-Sex Marriage Approved in Vermont as Legislature Overrides Veto
The Vermont Senate and House voted today to override a veto by Governor Jim Douglas of the state's same-sex marriage bill.
The Senate voted 23-5, overriding the veto by a wide margin, while the House squeaked through with a 2/3 majority with a 100-49 vote.
Vermont is now the fourth state to legalize same-sex marriage (with Iowa, Massachusetts, and Connecticut) and the first to do it by a vote of the legislature.
The vote comes nine years after the state legalized civil unions and was the first time Douglas had been overridden in his tenure.
More details and reactions as they come in...
Posted Apr. 7,2009 at 11:08 AM EST by Andy Towle in Gay Marriage, News, Vermont | Permalink
This has been the best week every for same-sex marriage.
And it didn't even come through the Courts? This is a fantastic sign of the change in our favor throughout the country.
Posted by: Tyler | Apr 7, 2009 11:11:29 AM
Awesome! One more down, how many left to go?
Posted by: Jude | Apr 7, 2009 11:12:14 AM
Good for Vermont! A really beautiful state; if you haven't been there, go!
Posted by: Chris | Apr 7, 2009 11:12:34 AM
I just cried in my office.
Posted by: MT | Apr 7, 2009 11:12:37 AM
It was 100-49, I think. I watched the live video stream, and as someone who was in the gallery of the US Congress when they passed DOMA in 1996, it was a refreshing change. I don't even live in NH and I broke into tears.
Posted by: PistolPetey | Apr 7, 2009 11:13:44 AM
The Burlington Free Press is reporting 100-49, even closer. We just barely made it, but we made it! I'm so excited here in VT I could burst. 1st state to successfully achieve marriage equality via the legislature. Between this and IA, it's been a great week for us. Let this be a sign of the future.
Posted by: Ernie | Apr 7, 2009 11:13:52 AM
Hallelujah!
Posted by: James | Apr 7, 2009 11:14:49 AM
46 left.
Only have Mass, Conn, Iowa, and Vermont.
California is a toss up right now.
The others.. *sigh*....
Posted by: Darren | Apr 7, 2009 11:15:07 AM
Vermont ROCKS!
Hallelujah!!
Thank you to ALL Vermonters; EXCEPT Douglas.
Posted by: Zeke | Apr 7, 2009 11:16:18 AM
New England has always been at the forefront of legislative change. I hope that this week's events are a harbinger of things to come. When federal DOMA is overturned, marriages in Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, and Massachusetts will finally be recognized nationwide.
I can't wait to see what develops on this issue in the coming months...
Posted by: Nathan James | Apr 7, 2009 11:18:19 AM
Hoooorayyyyyy!! We need to celebrate!!! I'm proud of you, Vermonterssss!!!
Posted by: Gayalltheway | Apr 7, 2009 11:18:39 AM
This is a very bad day for our Gov. Douglas, and I couldn't be happier about that. Next goal: seeing him out of office.
Posted by: Ernie | Apr 7, 2009 11:19:48 AM
excitiiiiing! whoo! :-D
Posted by: liz templin | Apr 7, 2009 11:20:56 AM
This is a slam dunk. I think my favorite part is they cant blame this one on "activist judges"...
justice is on the march!
CA come to your senses.
Posted by: Travis | Apr 7, 2009 11:21:04 AM
Three cheers to the Burlington Free Press for providing a live video of the vote on the internet. What a thrill to listen to the Speaker announce the vote live -- 100-49.
Posted by: oneway | Apr 7, 2009 11:21:19 AM
Woot! Vermont Rocks! Let's all plan vacations to support VT.
Posted by: Javier | Apr 7, 2009 11:23:28 AM
New Jersey and possibly New Hampshire and Maine by the end of the year!
Posted by: Chris | Apr 7, 2009 11:25:08 AM
woohoo!!! Let them complain about "activist legislatures"!
Posted by: torrentprime | Apr 7, 2009 11:25:19 AM
Looks like we're getting closer to the day when those like Barack Obama who believe in separate but equal for gay people will take their place in history as the bigots that they are. Congrats to Vermonters for leading the way!
Posted by: dk | Apr 7, 2009 11:25:40 AM
Maybe we can start pressuring the Albany Mob of Three to do something about this. It's embarrassing that New York hasn't done this yet.
Posted by: MT | Apr 7, 2009 11:27:18 AM
This is a watershed moment!! I just wish NY had been the first... The "activist judges" argument just went down in flames. I'm proud to be an American today... our democracy continues to work.. progress continues to be made.
Posted by: Anonymous | Apr 7, 2009 11:27:20 AM
Wonderful!
And without any court decision prompting!
Posted by: Chester | Apr 7, 2009 11:28:33 AM
Now, to really make an impact let us all support the 4 progressive states with our $$$. Vacation there... buy products from the states... whatever it takes to make it obvious that "you support us, we support you" and more states will follow!
Posted by: Brian | Apr 7, 2009 11:29:38 AM
I can't believe it. They did it! I love Vermont!
Now wait 5 minutes and listen to the Christians complain that this overwhelming vote by both houses of the legislature doesn't really count as a democratic decision b/c there wasn't a direct vote. Of course, if we had won a direct vote, they would have complained that there was media bias or that they were outspent.
Posted by: Danny | Apr 7, 2009 11:31:37 AM
I have a huge grin this morning. Let's hope that this vote together with the Iowa Supreme Court's ruling will put pressure on California's Court to step up for the cause of equality and justice fo. And Dk should take his anti-Obama rant to the Log Cabin Republicans (if the still exist) and see if they buy it.
Posted by: Brian | Apr 7, 2009 11:32:34 AM