Coming nine years after Vermont adopted its first-in-the-nation civil unions law in 2000, Vermont has become the fourth state in the US to legalise gay marriage - and the first to do so with a legislature's vote.
Tuesday morning's legislative action came less than a day after Governor Jim Douglas issued a veto message saying the bill would not improve the lot of gay and lesbian couples because it still would not provide them rights under federal and other states' laws.
The House's 100-to-49 vote was taken about an hour after the state Senate voted 23-5 to override Monday's veto by the Republican governor. The new law takes effect on Sept. 1.
Under Vermont law, two-thirds of each chamber had to vote for override.
It is now the fourth state to permit same-sex marriage. Massachusetts, Connecticut and Iowa are the others. Their approvals of gay marriage came from the courts.
Read more:
Vermont, and Gay Marriage (Seattle Times): The action by Vermont's legislature to legalize gay marriage over the governor's veto is hugely significant. For the first time, it's not a state supreme court doing it, but the people's representatives--and in this case, two-thirds of them.
Vermont is only a small piece of America--the most liberal state, according to a friend of mine who lives there. Vermont is the least religious state, according to a new survey. Vermont, with Maine, has the lowest birth rate of any state. And Vermont's vote for Obama was 68 percent, the highest of any state except Hawaii (72 percent).
Gay marriage wins by 1 vote (burlingtonfreepress.com): House Speaker Shap Smith's voice choked with emotion as he read the vote count from the podium: 100-49.
By the narrowest of margins, the Legislature overrode Gov. Jim Douglas' veto Tuesday and Vermont became the fourth state in the nation to allow same-sex couples to marry, and the first to do so without a court order.
"It really is a historic moment," Smith said afterward.
Vermont legalizes same-sex marriage (boston.com): That it would be a tight vote was never in doubt, but the outcome was unclear until the roll call came to the end and Jeff Young, a gardener and freshman Democrat, switched his vote with a simple "yes" from his wooden desk in the chandelier-lit chamber.
His change of mind tipped the balance yesterday in the state House of Representatives, making Vermont the fourth state in the country to legalize marriage between same-sex couples - and the first by a legislative vote.
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Reader's Comments
Keep the momentum going city states and soon the world will be ONE again!
Congrats!!!
Another One Bites The Dust!
Jakarta SOON!!!
ok here's the thing. can somebody please enlighten me.
The call for gay marriage was pressed because some gay couple could not inherit their partner's so called "CPF" money and assets to care for their loved ones in case they passed on cos they are not legally "married", right? But by having civil unions and domestic partnerships, isn't that cause and purpose fulfilled? So why the press for marriage? Isn't it a blatant "give an inch, want a yard" behavior?
Is it because so that us queens can have a flamboyant ala wedding of the year? Or...? Hmm... I seriously dont see the point in a "marriage" when
have a whole lavish ceremony of saying "I do" when most of the Americans/world population are Atheist/agnostic/free thinker/don't go to church anyway? Isn't it ironic and hypocritical that some deny/can't make up their mind about God's existence, not going to church since they said Churches and bible discriminates homosexuality, then why bother to get married in front of a pastor in a church?
Even the Queen Mama, Sir Elton John was telling the American gays not to use the word marriage, based on the previous (I think last year's) fridae news feature.
I'm not trying to offend anyone or be rude about it, but maybe perhaps someone could just maybe tell me more about it. Cheers! =D
Those who think they're straight and member of Fridae, please go to other appropriate forums instead of giving offensive comments here. You're in the wrong website here.
For girls, there are many straight guys waiting for you, and for guys, there are many straight girls also waiting for you, no need to make fun or insult us because of our sex orientation and preference.
Yes, there are many cheating unfaithful GAYS who think and care only about SEX anywhere, anytime with anyone, but
There are also ones who genuinely love their partners and deserve equal rights and protection under the LAWS for marriage couple and to establish loving families.
Kudos for Vermont, time for the entire humanity to get some enlightenment and to get rid of hatred and prejudice on each other because of our differences.
Maybe it's time for all PLU worldwide to show some
self respect and prude in all Gay Parades worldwide, to show
to public that we're just normal people with MORAL and ETHICS
not sicko exhibitionists who love to show our sexy and tiny underwears and making out
to the public wildly.
I am actually sick of Gay Parades who show nothing but lust and hedonism. It's time to show the world that we deserve equal rights and we deserve some respect as well by cleaning up our acts.
note: it is a well known known fact that its hard to find a truly monogamous gay couple, i think its ok to luahg at ourselves once in a while like post #3 instead of being so bitter and defensive all the time.
I'm still hoping for someone to tell me more about this gay marriage thingy :(
http://lesbianlife.about.com/cs/wedding/a/unionvmarriage.htm
As for kampong tart losers like Post #3 Brown Hard and her twin sister gymhotbod, they will end up lonely and bitter with all their second hand makeup and ugly sayongs. Dun worry about them, they need constant attention to feel alive cos they are already brain dead. Jokes on you loser! zzzz
OK so granted that all couples cheat, be it homo or hetero. My MAIN point being, theres this thing about civil unions and domestic partnerships that offers EQUAL rights (custody child parenting next of kin asset etc), Why Marriage?
See, from what I know - and I may be wrong aboutt his but - Elton went to city hall with a lavish flair and signed the papers and have this huge party back at his house and invited megastars. (forgive me if im wrong on this one)
No wedding.
OZ also have the same thing about civil unionship. My friend is now an OZ citizen cos he had a civil union with his bf. And they even adopt a little boy. Everything legal.
Still no wedding.
SO whats the big Hoo Haa about? If not perhaps the fantasy of having a lavish "I Do" gala in front of the very pastor you detest?
Divorce:
Figures published in 2008 in the UK showed that the divorce rate for gays in the UK was less than 1% since introduction of CPs in December 2005.
Out of the 24,629 gay couples that had married since the law came into operation in December 2005, 245 divorce petitions had been filed by August 2008; out of that number, 108 petitions had led to the dissolution of the relationship. So about 99.5 % were still married. While I know it's not possible to compare like with like for statistical purposes, it's worth noting that the general heterosexual divorce rate these days is around 50%. There's therefore no evidence that those gays that want to get married are more likely to divorce than straight couples.
On the term "marriage":
if it looks, walks and quacks like a duck, it's a duck:
In England marriage is historically a form of contract, (not a legal Church service until the 18th century): in the UK, CP is a civil contract indistinguishable from the civil marriage contract between the opposite sexes. Though the term marriage is not formally used, it is used informally by almost everyone. CP in the UK IS a form of marriage. Eventually I expect the two systems will merge, as it is a pointless duplication that probably only exists because of the prejudices of a number of old fogies and bishops in the House of Lords (we still have over 26 Bishops and other religious figures in our Upper House, though only about 7% of the population actually attend church).
Post #14 Foxy_Tara says "that offers EQUAL rights (custody child parenting next of kin asset etc), Why [push for] Marriage?"
Though personally I'm happy with what we have in the UK, the real answer to this question is "why not". The burden of proof is on those who want to prohibit something. As the Judge said in Iowa, there is no government purpose served by denying the right to marry to gays. However, I'm not aware of any demand for more than we have already within the UK though we're aware that the only reason we have a parallel system is because of prejudice in some quarters. There is though a possible point that international recognition beyond the EU may be easier in the long run for countries that go for simply extending existing marriage laws to gay couples.
As we've heard from posters on this website, the situation is complex in the States; there is not even national recognition for gay couples whatever their position in their own State. There are various different levels of partnership, or none at all, depending where you live. In America, there is also a history of various different types of marriage, even "communal" marriages. Marriage laws seem to have been a continual battleground there: it's not very long ago that bans on inter-racial marriages were overturned.
There is also a history in the US of not compromising when it comes to equality for all before the law. So even if it's just the word, "marriage", and all else were equal, they will still fight for it as a symbol of complete equality, and against the apartheid of "separate but equal".
Maybe, I equate marriages like in Singapore, where you'll have to go to Registry of MArriages and sign some paper signifying your unionship and with that paper you are legally bound as a couple and after signing that paper, you can choose to have tea ceremony and 10 course dinnerfor the chinese, or a joyous malay wedding under the void deck, or fire walking ceremony for the indians, its all CULTURALLY, TRADITIONALLY AND RELIGIOUSLY INFLUENCED, which we can do without.
Bottom line,in SG we still have to sign that paper in order to get "married". SO to me, it doesnt really make a diffrence whether homos or hetero, marriage or non marriage. it still a union nontheless.
So ,personally, again I dont see the point nor need to get "married", CP is fine with me.
On the term "marriage":
if it looks, walks and quacks like a duck, it's a duck:
unfortunately, in the usa, it is indeed a brutal war between two very rigid sides... the battlefield is marriage... whether u want it or not for yourself, every self-respecting gay has gotta join the fight (and wound as many nutso Christian fundies as we can)... except in a few progressive states like vermont and massachusetts we can't really expect any help from public opinion... and without public opinion behind us, we can't expect the legislative and executive branches of government to stray from unreasonable and unfair traditions to recognize or protect our rights.... mercifully the judiciary, entrusted with the obligation of ensuring that there is constitutionally guaranteed "equal protection under the law", can and does understand the tension between tradition and rights... it was, after all, the courts that began to dismantle racial inequalities 50 years ago when public opinion (except in a cluster of progressive states) was unready to accept it... it seems that in the usa tolerance and acceptance are often achieved after--not before-- rights and equality are legally recognized and protected... thank god for the separation of powers, eh?
AH Q , the Queen Of Temple Street has spoken again. He thought that he is brainy but in reality, he only quacks like a "cheap temple street duck" and only recites what others have to say. Hmmmm from the way he writes, his brain seems inside his arse and uses his own tart as makeups.
What a lousy loser !! Can't you have anything original other "Oh so and so bravo" ... "so and so brillant" ?? Yuck !! And What a stench when you open your mouth !! Stop using your other orific to speak girl !!
I pity the Poor guy who kept this cheap street trash from temple street.
jammyboi, have you found out who Ah Q is like in the novel by LuShun ? Oh forgot, of course, you wouldn't understand as your brain is located inside your arse.
Post 16 Foxy Tiara "Bottom line,in SG we still have to sign that paper in order to get "married". SO to me, it doesnt really make a diffrence whether homos or hetero, marriage or non marriage. it still a union nontheless. "
Sure, if everyone just has to sign the register as the legal bit, they can have whatever ceremony or celebration they want, or none, after that, if that's your system. Perfect.
Our system for civil straight marriages and CPs includes the option of a ceremony as part of the whole thing at the Registry Office. My feeling is that as it's the biggest decision and commitment, and happiest day, of most peoples' lives, why not celebrate it, but that's a personal choice.
Pherry (post 17); thanks for that info on French public life; hilarious, it would most likely be seen as scandal in the UK. I wish the British press could have such a laid back attitude to our politicians' sex lives :)
1....u want gay marriage so much, worship the idea n vision of gay marriage as the epitome of behing equal. HATE the country where u r for not allowing such act....u save yr $$$ n go to Vermoont Iowa Sweden...n get married to yr ugly BF....only to come back n that peice of marriage license is NOT recognised.
2....U curse and swear at the government of the country u r in for NOT being like Sweden and whatever few places that recognise gay marriage...but cannot do anything but swear and curse at them...while u dream of how wonderful it wld b if the goverment in yr country legalise it.
3....if u form a party to rally n riot outside the parliament of yr country....demanding gay rights gay marriage...many of yr gay supporters wld BACK OUT on that day as they treasure their jobs MORE. Then u will hear them say...they r actually comfortable with what it's like at home. In Spore cost of living is high, gay lovers meet as much as possible if they cannot a home together...when they no longer like each other, a quick break up....in Malaysia some gay lovers live together ...no fuss abt marriage n legality...they might then say they r comfy with how things re than to rally n fight n march for gay rights gay marriage....
end up only u n a very few idiots like yrself wld be there that day holding banners to march to the parliament...how many say 6 of u??? hahahahaahahaha even the media wld not waste their time on morons like a jammyboi cos he is ugly.
But dun flush out too far off the sewage pipes though, you aunties may end up as recycled sanitary pads for the newly elected fundamental anti gay "christian" b.i.t.c.h.e.s at AWARE.
Aw, you know you both want it. Dun fight it, nor shed any blood over this ya? Just be good little sani pads and let them color you both blind with rainbow glory.
Yawn..zzz,..have fun ladies! :D
"Ok ok steveuk if you persist. What ever gets your old boner working. Have fun ya?..;) "
Sorry, fantasising about you two wouldn't work. You're both so anonymous anyway, even Gymmy has said his ID was his bf's and he's not really a gymhotbod.
The lighthearted banter is funny from time to time, but when it goes too far or happens too often, it's not very constructive, and the brownshirts just rub their hands with glee.
You both make some good points, but sometimes they get lost in the crossfire.
You mean your puny brain is so clouded with opium from your ancestry that you cannot digest that short story ???
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