Early this morning Vermont became the fourth state to legalize gay marriage in the US and the first state to do so through the legislative process. The bill which had been vetoed earlier this week by the state’s Republican Governor Jim Douglas, was passed by both the House and the Senate with over a two thirds majority (the necessary amount to override a Governor’s veto). The total vote count for the Senate was 23-5 and for the House 100-49. The law will go into effect on September 1st of this year.
Just last week Iowa also legalized gay marriage, but through the courts, a surprising turn of events as Iowa is typically seen as a moderate state within the Heartland of America. At the time many commentators mentioned the old saying “As goes Iowa, so goes the nation,” a turn of phrase usually used to depict Presidential primaries, but now appears to also depict gay marriage.
Loud cheers and warm embraces followed the final vote tally in the Senate this morning, both from legislatures and from hundreds of local residents who had crammed into the Senate’s viewing room and lobby.
Update: D.C. (as in Washington D.C.) council members voted today to recognize gay marriages from other states. That is, they would recognize gay marriages from Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa or now Vermont, even though D.C. itself does not allow gay marriages. This is seen as a step toward legalized gay marriage within the U.S. capitol.
I just heard about this, great news! As the economy plummets it’s great to have some happy news then and again. Props to Vermont.