And Vermont Becomes Four....

Published April 07, 2009 @ 08:41AM PT

Vermont legislators have just done what many thought was unthinkable - they voted in both chambers (the House and the Senate) to override Governor Jim Douglas's veto and enact full marriage equality in Vermont. With that, Vermont has now become the fourth state, and the second in four days, to make full marriage equality a reality.

Perhaps more importantly, Vermont has become the first state to enact marriage equality through the legislature. That's right, no "activist judges" allowed to this party. This is full-on the responsibility of the legislature, which did its due diligence in listening to the voters of Vermont (who overwhelmingly favor civil marriage for same-sex couples). Vermont's action today goes to show that no one politician - in this case Jim Douglas, but elsewhere any number of individuals - can stop civil rights progress from happening.

The Senate overrode the Governor's veto in a 28-5 vote, and the Vermont House voted to override his veto by a vote of 100-49, giving supporters of marriage equality the two-thirds vote they needed in each chamber in order to make marriage equality a reality.

To revisit a post we wrote last night...does Iowa, and now Vermont, indicate that we've reached a tipping point on the issue of same-sex marriage? Has momentum now swung in favor of marriage equality?

That may be hard to say, but we've now had three states in the past six months (Connecticut, Iowa and now Vermont) recognize same-sex marriage. That's a pretty phenomenal turn of events from just a few years ago, and proves that 2009 is fast becoming the year of marriage equality.

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Comments (29)

Good for you Michael.. ON IT. Oh, isn't it grand. Now that, oh so brave, young James Neely, who gave testimony so well before that panel, can get married in his beloved Vermont.Effective May 1, Happy May Day, Vermonters!!!! Let the champagne flow, bells ring, and let 'em eat cake!

Posted by Lee Dorsey on 04/07/2009 @ 08:49AM PT
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OOPS, though it was effective May 1, now I read it will be September 1. Oh well, soon enough. Now the fun planning can start!

Posted by Lee Dorsey on 04/07/2009 @ 03:45PM PT
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Wahoo!! Go New England!!

Posted by Leigh Graham on 04/07/2009 @ 08:55AM PT
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Thanks, from one Vermonter.

Posted by Frederic Starchenkov... on 04/11/2009 @ 08:48PM PT
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Well said! This moment, if not an actual tipping point, is a strong message to those who would deny basic rights to LGBT that even if they win another battle or two, they are going to lose this war. Love is beating hate, and in the end it will triumph.

Posted by Amanda Kloer on 04/07/2009 @ 08:58AM PT
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Well done, tell it like it is for all the world to hear and eventually we all join voices together.

Posted by Frederic Starchenkov... on 04/11/2009 @ 08:49PM PT
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Way to go Vermont.

Posted by Martin Martinez on 04/07/2009 @ 09:16AM PT
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As one who lives in Vermont,

THANK YOU, we try our best and appreciate those who at least appreciate an effort that touches lives in a positive way.

Thank you, Matin Matinez.

Posted by Frederic Starchenkov... on 04/11/2009 @ 08:47PM PT
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YES! I hope this serves as a lesson for everyone that rights cannot be repressed for much longer and that love will conquer hate. I'm really hoping there will soon be tolerance nationwide.

Posted by Yashua Robledo on 04/07/2009 @ 09:18AM PT
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YOU tell-em Yashua Robledo !

Humans will throw off the bondage of hatred, and embrace the love, imagination, and creativity that belongs to all human animals.

The boogy men in the sky will have to get another job spewing hatred else where.

Posted by Frederic Starchenkov... on 04/11/2009 @ 08:44PM PT
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I am soooo happy! We are on our way to full equality! This legislative led revision of state law is absolutely momentous. If the "tipping point" hasn't been reached, we are coming remarkably close.

Posted by Gary Allmon on 04/07/2009 @ 11:47AM PT
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You bet, Gary Allen.

Keep that light burning, and that spriit stong.

Fred Starchenkovenner, Vermont.

Posted by Frederic Starchenkov... on 04/11/2009 @ 08:52PM PT
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WOW!! Two states in less than a week! and also DC. Let's hope my state of California follows soon.

Posted by Chris Beck on 04/07/2009 @ 11:48AM PT
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Here's hoping for you, Chirs Beck !

Fred Starchenkovenner, Vermont.

Posted by Frederic Starchenkov... on 04/11/2009 @ 08:51PM PT
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I hope so, Chris! I have friends in California, many of whom are working to try to get porp 8 overturned. Also, I've been trying to do my little part here in Illinois, where we don't even have a civil unions bill! I've talked to mt state legisl., who seem to support a bill, so I've asked them to put their money where their mouths are. I even contcted Oprah! After all, she's a resident of Illinois, too!

Posted by gilbert barrett on 04/07/2009 @ 01:18PM PT
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It's great that Vermont has recognized same-sex marriage because it's a great advancement for LGBT rights. In addition, the governor has been shown by tolerant people, that his veto was wrong. It's also great that this time, same-sex marriage was recognized by the legislative branch, however it's still great that the Iowa Supreme Court validated same-sex marriage. Finally, the momentum into the approval of same-sex marriage must and hopefully goes full steam ahead.

Posted by Edwin Bonilla on 04/07/2009 @ 02:39PM PT
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Times are changing and we need to open the eyes of the blind to tolerance and acceptance. Don't let up on them, tell them what you think. Your voices are being heard.

Posted by B F on 04/08/2009 @ 02:23AM PT
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Yay!!!! I used to be a pessimist. I've been an optimist for a while now; I believe in the power of love, even if the odds are against you. Now obviously the tables have turned!

Posted by Luella - on 04/08/2009 @ 08:33AM PT
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Iowa, Vermont, D.C.!

Hope, I has it! :D

Posted by Heather McClellan on 04/10/2009 @ 12:41PM PT
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Edward Smail,
Your atrocious spelling and grammatical mistakes highlight your lack of education. Your closed-minded and incorrect comments highlight your lack of respect and lack of insight. If I might venture a guess, I would speculate that you don't know anyone of alternative sexual orientation, but that clearly can't be true, since a recent government survey revealed that 4% of the population identifies as LGBT, which equates to about 1 in 20. (Source: http://gaylife.about.com/od/comingout/a/population.htm) So you definitely know some non-heterosexual people, and I bet you'd be surprised who they are. I, however, am not surprised that you aren't aware of them, since I would be hesistant to share my orientation with you if I heard you spouting crap similar to your comment above. Please take a moment to consider if you would speak so harshly to your mother or brother before doing so again.

Posted by Jennifer Davidson on 04/10/2009 @ 08:59PM PT
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Jennifer Davidson ---- you speak so true........

The hatred spewed by Edward Smail is so reminiscent of Nazi Hitlerism that used christian hatred for massacre of the Jewish people and children in step history with Friday the 13th massacre of the Knights Templar.

Edward Smail's attitude is exactly the degeneration of human intellect and kindness toward murder and cannibalism.

Edward Samail has the indoctrinated mind of those who no longer have their own minds or thoughts, but are the talking puppets of republican ideology and christian priests who drool over little boys.

Posted by Frederic Starchenkov... on 04/11/2009 @ 08:36PM PT
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This same year Gainesville turned back a right wing bid to remove civil rights protections for GLBT people by amending the city charter. The right wingers lost 58 to 42 percent.
The backwards brainwashed segment like Mr. Smallmind still exist though and are misinformed about every aspect of the subject, including the fact that most molestation of children is committed by heterosexual males against young girls, not by gays.

Posted by P. Hanrahan on 04/10/2009 @ 09:36PM PT
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Edward's a troll. Don't feed him. All he does is run around to other posts with LGBT content and spew. Gives him a chance to use his favourite word--cornhole.

Posted by Jessica Pegis on 04/11/2009 @ 07:59AM PT
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Well, folks, we've been watching this from our mezzanine seat in Canada with glee. Way to go. Hope for all things good in 2009.

Posted by Jessica Pegis on 04/11/2009 @ 08:06AM PT
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Well done, Jennifer.

The hatred spewed by Edward Smail is so reminiscent of Nazi Hitlerism that used christian hatred for massacre of the Jewish people and children in step history with Friday the 13th massacre of the Knights Templar.

Edward Smail's attitude is exactly the degeneration of human intellect and kindness toward murder and cannibalism.

Posted by Frederic Starchenkov... on 04/11/2009 @ 08:26PM PT
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May i repeat for Pat Janssen.....

Well done, Jennifer.

The hatred spewed by Pat Janssen is so reminiscent of Nazi Hitlerism that used christian hatred for massacre of the Jewish people and children in step history with Friday the 13th massacre of the Knights Templar.

Pat Janssen's attitude is exactly the degeneration of human intellect and kindness toward murder and cannibalism.
Pat Janssen loves the eternal god of hatred and torture.

Posted by Frederic Starchenkov... on 04/11/2009 @ 08:30PM PT
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Frederica, Michael removed MY comments because he stated they were offensive! Why are yours any different then mine? I think your comments are way out of line and totally offensive and ignorant. I never spewed any hatred nor anything reminiscent of Nazi Hitlerism.....just an opinion that you obviously didn't like.

Posted by P. Janssen on 04/15/2009 @ 03:42PM PT
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Yay!! Congratulations Vermont! Massachusetts celebrates with you!

Posted by Abigail Cote on 04/12/2009 @ 07:35AM PT
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Hey Eddy ---- here's a kliss for you >>>> ssmmmooooch !

Now don't get greedy even if there is more where that came from.

And keep writing, we need to hear people like you, keep the rest of us honest. Just remember to wipe you mouth after each word.

Posted by Frederic Starchenkov... on 04/12/2009 @ 03:09PM PT
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Michael is the Communications Director for the Human Rights Program at Harvard Law School, and previously was Communications Director for Pax Christi USA, a progressive Catholic human rights organization.