Vermont Senate Votes to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage

[romantico]

Posted: 3/23/09 at 8:41pm

Dear Romantico,

Just moments ago, the Vermont State Senate voted with overwhelming support to pass S.115 - the bill to legalize same-sex marriage in Vermont. 26 Senators (out of 30) cast their vote in support of marriage equality. This is a monumental victory for Vermont and for LGBT equality.

I spent last week on the ground in Vermont in a critical Senate district working with Vermont Freedom to Marry. I was able to organize a bus full of marriage equality supporters from Bennington to the State House in Montpelier to testify in support of same-sex marriage. We joined nearly 1,000 other supporters, outnumbering our opponents roughly 3-2. So many Vermonters came to testify that we spilled into the hearing rooms, cafeteria, and even the hallways. The State House was literally overflowing with Vermonters telling their personal stories and advocating for the right to marry the person they love.

The Senate took up the bill today after the Senate Judiciary Committee voted unanimously, 5-0, to support the bill last Friday.

Thanks to the hard work of The Vermont Freedom to Marry Task Force, this critical step has been reached. Next, the bill will advance to the House of Representatives where a vote is likely to happen next week. While we are confident in its passage, we still need to assist our neighbors to the north to pass this bill. After that, the bill will be enacted into law, absent a veto from the Governor. Once that happens, Vermont will be the first state to recognize marriage equality through direct legislative initiative.

It has been an honor working with Vermont Freedom to Marry. I'm grateful for the opportunity to advance equality and make history.

Thank you,

Ryan Brown
Field Coordinator

PS: There are ways you can help Vermont win marriage from our Boston office - or even from your own home. For more information, or to get involved, please contact me at [e-mail] or [phone].


http://www.vpr.net/news_detail/84476/

Updated On: 3/23/09 at 08:41 PM

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 3/23/09 at 9:03pm

=)

[CapnHook]

Posted: 3/23/09 at 9:08pm

[romantico]

Posted: 3/23/09 at 9:13pm

One state at a time. New York will be next!

[snl89]

Posted: 3/23/09 at 9:17pm

Woota for my home state!!

[jaystarr]

Posted: 3/23/09 at 9:26pm

Woo-hoo! The 3rd state in New England! YES.. New York next!!!

J*

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 3/23/09 at 9:34pm

Let's hope so, J*.

[yeah]

Posted: 3/23/09 at 10:28pm

For anyone living in NY; if you're married in CT (or VT now) NY will recognize it for they recognize all out-of-state marriages.

My partner and I tied the knot after 10 years this past Jan. We live in NYC but went to CT. We now have benefits through his insurance, AAA, and Geico.

[Parks]

Posted: 3/23/09 at 11:03pm

yay!! This is wonderful news!! Texas next?

Wishful thinking?

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/23/09 at 11:36pm

Thank you, Vermont!

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 3/23/09 at 11:52pm

It's about time! (I mean, it IS Vermont for godssakes! )

BTW, today, my son asked me, "Mommy, can cats get married?" And I answered, "No, they can't." "But what if they've known each other all their lives and love each other?" "It's still against the law," I explained.

"Just like for gay people, right?" he asked. "Yes, that's right." I said.

"Well, that's not fair." Even a six-year-old child knows that denying people of their rights is like equating them with animals.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 3/23/09 at 11:53pm

Jesus Jay, you're going to frighten the other states if this is the way you react to a victory. FYI, New York is not in New England. I know that one baseball team being called The Yankees is very confusing.