Gay marriage legal now in Vermont
Good news from Andy Birkey at the Washington Independent:
The Vermont Legislature voted Tuesday to allow same-sex couples to wed in that state, overriding Republican Gov. Jim Douglas’ veto. Vermont is the first state to allow same-sex marriage by legislative approval and the fourth in the nation overall — after Massachusetts, Connecticut and Iowa. The law will take effect Sept. 1.
“This historic vote in the Vermont Legislature reminds us of the incredible progress being made toward equality. Less than five years ago, lesbian and gay couples began marrying in Massachusetts. Now, with the Iowa court decision last Friday and today’s vote in Vermont, there will be four states recognizing the right to marry for loving, committed lesbian and gay couples,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese.
“The struggle for equal rights is never easy. I was proud to be president of the Senate nine years ago when Vermont created civil unions,” said Vermont Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin in a statement. “Today we have overridden the governor’s veto. I have never felt more proud of Vermont as we become the first state in the country to enact marriage equality not as the result of a court order, but because it is the right thing to do.”
Now let’s watch the divorce rate in Vermont. According to the religious right, which opposes gay marriage, the divorce rate should now climb, since gay marriage destroys traditional (man-woman) marriage.
