Wedding in Vermont

Bill Slimback and Bob Sullivan (AP Photo/Andy Duback), who have been together for 17 years, were among the first couples to be wed in Vermont yesterday after the clock rolled past midnight and the state's equal-marriage law took effect.

"It feels wonderful. It's a day I've been long waiting for, and a day I truly, honestly thought would never come," said Slimback, a 38-year-old unemployed Teamster.

Time to thank the Vermont legislators who legalized gay marriage today

Today Vermont became the first state to enact gay marriage laws by dint of legislation. Now, it's time to thank them. Go ahead, it's not hard and it won't take long.

GLAAD applauds Vermont

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), the nation's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy and anti-defamation organization, today applauded the Vermont legislature's decision for same-sex couples in that state. The Vermont Senate and the House of Representatives voted to override the veto issued by Governor Jim Douglas, thus legalizing marriages of gay and lesbian couples.

"Today's decision is an important step, and affirms the enduring commitment of so many gay and lesbian couples in Vermont," said GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano. "As people come to know the stories of the couples at the heart of these decisions, we are seeing the kind of culture change that creates this progress – progress that ensures that all people, regardless of their orientation, are protected equally under the law."

"GLAAD encourages media reporting on this story to include the stories of these Vermont couples whose love and commitment is at the center of today's vote," Giuliano added.

The Pulse of Equality survey, conducted by Harris Interactive and commissioned by GLAAD, shows that majorities of Americans favor either marriage or civil unions/domestic partnerships for gay and lesbian couples. Three-quarters of U.S. adults (75%) favor either marriage or domestic partnerships/civil unions for gay and lesbian couples. Only about two in 10 (22%) say gay and lesbian couples should have no legal recognition.For more on The Pulse of Equality Survey, download the results.

Vermont becomes first state to legalize gay marriage through legislative process

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.”

More after the jump.


“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.




Boo to Gov. Douglas of Vermont

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, came out in strong opposition to today’s veto by Governor Douglas of marriage equality legislation. The bill, S. 115, which would provide marriage rights to lesbian and gay couples, passed the Vermont State Senate by a vote of 26 to 4 and the Vermont State House of Representatives by a vote of 95 to 52.

“This move by Governor Douglas denies basic human rights to lesbian and gay couples who live in the State of Vermont,” said Joe Solmonese, President of the Human Rights Campaign. “We ask all fair-minded residents of Vermont to call their legislators immediately and urge them to stand up for equality by overriding Governor Douglas’ veto. It is our hope that the Vermont legislature will override this veto and ensure that all loving and committed couples are afforded the basic right to marry.”

Shortly after the House and Senate versions of the bill were reconciled today, Governor Douglas fulfilled his threat to veto the legislation, sending it back to the Vermont legislature for an override vote which is expected to take place soon. Two-thirds of legislators present in each chamber would be required to vote in favor of overriding the Governor’s veto. If the legislature overrides Gov. Douglas’ veto, Vermont will become the first state to provide marriage equality for committed lesbian and gay couples through the legislative process. (California’s legislature has twice passed similar legislation that was vetoed and not enacted into law).

Vermont House of Reps votes for gay marriage legislation

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, applauded the Vermont House of Representatives yesterday 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.”

Read more after the jump.


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.



Vermont votes to recognize gay marriage

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, applauded the Vermont State Senate for its bipartisan 26-4 vote in support of S. 115, a bill that would recognize marriage for gay and lesbian couples under state law. The bill now moves to the state House of Representatives.


“We encourage the House to expeditiously pass this bill and the Governor to sign it into law, giving all committed couples in Vermont the basic respect and dignity they deserve,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “We congratulate Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin, Senator John Campbell, Senator Claire Ayer, the 23 other Senators who voted yes, and the Vermont Freedom to Marry Task Force, on this strong statement of support for equality.”


Read more after the jump.
Two states, Massachusetts and Connecticut, currently permit gay and lesbian couples to marry under state law. New York recognizes marriages by gay and lesbian couples legally married outside of the state. Vermont was the first state to recognize civil unions for gay and lesbian couples, in 2000. If S. 115 is enacted into law, Vermont would become the first state to adopt marriage equality legislatively. (California’s legislature has twice passed bills that would have permitted gay and lesbian couples to marry, but each bill was vetoed).


In addition to Vermont, seven states plus Washington, D.C. have laws providing at least some form of state-level relationship recognition, short of marriage, for gay and lesbian couples. Four other states—California, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Oregon—plus Washington, D.C. provide gay and lesbian couples with access to the state level benefits and responsibilities of marriage, through either civil unions or domestic partnerships.


Maine, Washington and Hawaii provide gay and lesbian couples with limited rights and benefits, not all the rights provided to married couples.


Gay and lesbian couples do not receive federal rights and benefits in any state. To learn more about state by state legislation visit: www.hrc.org/state_laws.




Vermont commits to marriage equality

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, recently applauded the Vermont House and Senate Leadership for committing to pass marriage equality legislation before the end of the legislative session in May. The legislation is expected to be introduced by Senate President Shumlin, Majority Leader Senator Campbell and the Assistant Majority Leader Senator Ayer on March 17th. If passed by both chambers and signed by the governor, this would mark the first time marriage equality has become law by the legislative process.

“We applaud Vermont’s House and Senate leaders for taking this bold step and working to pass this legislation in this session,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “The momentum for marriage equality is real and tangible. For Vermont, which began this public conversation with civil unions in 2000, to move towards marriage equality sends a powerful message and we salute them.”

Read more after the jump.


“Senator Shumlin and Speaker Smith have shown real leadership,” said Beth Robinson, Chair of the Vermont Freedom to Marry Task Force. “They've never taken their eyes off the ball – the economic challenges facing Vermonters – but they understand that our legislature can and should also ensure equal rights for all Vermonters without further delay.”

“We have devoted the first half of the session to finding ways for the legislature to help stimulate the economy and create jobs for Vermonters,” said Senator Shumlin. “We will continue our focus on the economy by encouraging green energy development, targeting money toward venture capital and funding a variety of transportation projects. We will also pass legislation to improve our election system and end the inequality in our civil marriage laws.”

“I am proud of the work that the legislature has done in the first half of the session,” said Speaker Smith. “We have proposed a balanced approach to the budget, initiatives to make our government more efficient and passed one of the toughest sex offender bills in the nation. I look forward to continuing our work to make Vermont a more sustainable and prosperous state.”

In addition to Vermont, nine states plus Washington, D.C. have laws providing at least some form of state-level relationship recognition for gay and lesbian couples. Massachusetts and Connecticut recognize marriage for gay and lesbian couples under state law. Four other states—California, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Oregon—plus Washington, D.C. provide gay and lesbian couples with access to the state level benefits and responsibilities of marriage, through either civil unions or domestic partnerships.

Maine, Washington and Hawaii provide gay and lesbian couples with limited rights and benefits, not all the rights provided to married couples. New York recognizes marriages by gay and lesbian couples legally married outside of the state.

Gay and lesbian couples do not receive federal rights and benefits in any state. To learn more about state by state legislation visit: www.hrc.org/state_laws.