Vermont Legislature Overrides Veto - Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

One day after Gov. Jim Douglas (R) vetoed a gay marriage bill passed by the state legislature last week, the legislature managed to override and make Vermont the fourth state to legalize same-sex marriage. With the Senate voting 23-5 and the House voting 100-49 Vermont made history by becoming the first state to approve gay marriage through the legislature.

HRC raised the Iowa flag last week on the day the Supreme Court upheld the decision to say same-sex couples should be allowed to marry.  Today HRC raised the Vermont flag at it's headquarters.



The press release from HRC is below.

BREAKING: Human Rights Campaign Applauds Vermont Legislature’s

Historic Vote Recognizing Marriage for Lesbian and Gay Couples

Vote to override Governor’s veto makes Vermont first state to recognize marriage for lesbian and gay couples through legislative process

 

WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, applauded the Vermont legislature for voting today to  recognize marriage for lesbian and gay couples.  The state Senate voted 23-5 and the House of Representatives voted 100-49 to override Gov. Jim Douglas’s veto, making Vermont the first state to recognize marriage for committed lesbian and gay couples through the legislative process.  The Vermont legislation goes into effect September 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.  “We congratulate Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin, Speaker of the House Shap Smith, the other legislators who voted for marriage, the Vermont Freedom to Marry Task Force, and MassEquality for ensuring that all couples will now enjoy the freedom to marry in Vermont.  This is a law that will strengthen families and give meaning to the promise of equal rights for all.”

 

“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 Shumlin.  “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.”

 

The Human Rights Campaign mobilized its members in Vermont to support this legislation.  National Field Director Marty Rouse, a former Vermont resident, was in Vermont since Monday working with legislators and activists to build support for the override votes.

 

Vermont becomes the first state to recognize marriage equality for lesbian and gay couples through legislation.  California’s legislature has twice passed similar legislation that was vetoed and not enacted into law.  Vermont is the fourth state, after Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Iowa, to extend marriage equality to committed lesbian and gay couples.  Iowa’s state supreme court unanimously ruled on April 3, 2009 that the state constitution guarantees lesbian and gay couples the equal right to marry.

 

New York recognizes marriages by lesbian and gay couples legally entered into in another jurisdiction.  California recognized marriage by lesbian and gay couples between June and November of 2008, before voters approved Proposition 8, which purports to amend the state constitution to prohibit marriage equality.  The Proposition 8 vote has been challenged in court; a decision by the state supreme court is expected by June.

 

Lesbian and gay couples do not receive federal rights and responsibilities in any state.  To learn more about state by state legislation, visit: www.hrc.org/state_laws.

 

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

 

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Human Rights Campaign Applauds Vermont House of Representatives Vote in Favor of Marriage Bill

More exciting news coming out of Vermont. The Senate has already passed the bill so it is now off to the Governor's desk. Governor Davis has stated that he will veto the bill. If this happens their will be a strong push to overturn that veto and it looks like there is hope for that to happen.

The Human Rights Campaign issed the following press release:

WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, applauded the Vermont House of Representatives today for voting in favor of legislation that would permit committed lesbian and gay couples to marry under state law. The vote of 95 to 52 by the Vermont State House follows last week’s 26-4 Senate vote. After the vote is confirmed, which is expected tomorrow, the bill returns to the Senate for technical concurrence and then will be sent to Governor Jim Douglas.

“This vote marks a significant step forward in the advancement of equality,” said Human Rights Campaign Joe Solmonese. “The right to marry should be extended to all couples who are in a loving and committed relationship. We congratulate Speaker of the House Shap Smith, the other representatives who voted yes, and the Vermont Freedom to Marry Task Force, on this strong statement of support for equality.”

Governor Douglas is expected to veto the bill next week; the question will be whether the legislature will override his veto. Two-thirds of legislators present in each chamber would be required to vote in favor of overriding a veto by the Governor.

“I hope that Governor Douglas will re-consider and decide not to veto this legislation, which simply ensures that all couples and all families in Vermont receive equal dignity and full equality under the law,” said Solmonese. “If Governor Douglas does veto the law, I hope that legislators will override his veto.”

If this bill is enacted as law, Vermont will become the first state legislature to recognize marriage equality through legislation. If the bill takes effect, it would make Vermont the third state, after Massachusetts and Connecticut, to extend marriage equality to committed lesbian and gay couples.

New York recognizes marriages by lesbian and gay couples legally entered into in another jurisdiction. California recognized marriage by lesbian and gay couples between June and November of 2008, before voters approved Proposition 8, which purports to amend the state constitution to prohibit marriage equality. The Proposition 8 vote has been challenged in court; a decision by the state supreme court is expected by June.

To learn more about state by state legislation, visit: www.hrc.org/state_laws.