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Vt. Considers Allowing Gay Marriages
msnbc.msn.com, Feb. 9, 2009
MONTPELIER, Vt. - Hundreds of people jammed into a Statehouse reception room Friday to cheer introduction of legislation allowing gay couples the right to marry.
Vermont Lawmakers Introduce Gay Marriage Bill
The House bill's chief sponsors offered brief remarks to the crowd. Rep. Mark Larson, D- Burlington, and Rep. David Zuckerman, P-Burlington, said Vermont's landmark creation of civil unions back in 2000 was a good "first step", but added that there is no longer any justification against true equality between gay and straight couples.
Larson announced 59 of 150 House members have signed on as co-sponsors. None are Republicans, but Rep. Patti Komline of Dorset, the House GOP leader said she will vote in favor of the bill.
"There are many colleagues who've said to me, 'I'll vote for it -- I don't want to sign on but I'll vote for it, from across party lines,'" said Zuckerman.
Companion legislation has not yet been introduced in the Senate.
Euan Bear, 56, was among those in the crowd who called the issue personal. The Bakersfield woman was among the first to enter into a civil union in August, 2000 with her partner of 20 years. "You can not deny me the civil rights that the state grants to married couples," she said. "It's just not fair. It's just not equality."
She said federal tax laws continue to deny equivalent benefits to same-sex couples, but "we can't even get to the federal issues until Vermont calls it marriage."
Some legislators privately groan over the prospects of a divisive debate this year. Many also recall colleagues who lost bids for re-election over the issue in 2000.
Sen. Vince Illuzzi, R-Essex-Orleans, is among them. "I cannot vote for this, I don't think it's necessary," Illuzzi said, adding "the real solution lies in the Congress, and with the president."
Another Republican, Rep. Heidi Scheuermann of Stowe, said the legislation is "certainly not a priority but I haven't made a decision."
Beth Robinson, an attorney who helped argue the state Supreme Court case whose 1999 ruling forced lawmakers to action, now chairs the Freedom to Marry Task Force. She said the group is heartened by poll results showing growing support for marriage equality.
"I think Vermonters get it," Robinson said. "This is a great way to provide more security for gay couples without hurting anyone else or taking a thing a thing from anybody else. And it's time."
Though liberals enjoy large majorities in both the Vermont House and Senate, a major stumbling block for the legislation could prove to be Republican Gov. Jim Douglas, who does not support the marriage bill and believes existing civil union legislation provides equality. He did not favor the original civil union legislation in 2000.
"Gay marriage is a controversial, divisive issue," Douglas said, preferring he and state lawmakers instead "work together for Vermont's economic future."
But the governor also won't say whether he will veto marriage equality legislation should it land on his desk this spring.
"I think he'll come around," Robinson said. "Because he's in touch with where Vermonters are and they're with us on this. I don't think this is a governor who wants to land on the wrong side of history."Bear held up a homemade sign during Friday's rally to crystallize her argument. It read, "If we're equal, will you trade your marriage for my civil union?"
Vt. Considers Allowing Gay Marriages
msnbc.msn.com, Feb. 9, 2009
MONTPELIER, Vt. - Hundreds of people jammed into a Statehouse reception room Friday to cheer introduction of legislation allowing gay couples the right to marry.
Vermont Lawmakers Introduce Gay Marriage Bill
The House bill's chief sponsors offered brief remarks to the crowd. Rep. Mark Larson, D- Burlington, and Rep. David Zuckerman, P-Burlington, said Vermont's landmark creation of civil unions back in 2000 was a good "first step", but added that there is no longer any justification against true equality between gay and straight couples.
Larson announced 59 of 150 House members have signed on as co-sponsors. None are Republicans, but Rep. Patti Komline of Dorset, the House GOP leader said she will vote in favor of the bill.
"There are many colleagues who've said to me, 'I'll vote for it -- I don't want to sign on but I'll vote for it, from across party lines,'" said Zuckerman.
Companion legislation has not yet been introduced in the Senate.
Euan Bear, 56, was among those in the crowd who called the issue personal. The Bakersfield woman was among the first to enter into a civil union in August, 2000 with her partner of 20 years. "You can not deny me the civil rights that the state grants to married couples," she said. "It's just not fair. It's just not equality."
She said federal tax laws continue to deny equivalent benefits to same-sex couples, but "we can't even get to the federal issues until Vermont calls it marriage."
Some legislators privately groan over the prospects of a divisive debate this year. Many also recall colleagues who lost bids for re-election over the issue in 2000.
Sen. Vince Illuzzi, R-Essex-Orleans, is among them. "I cannot vote for this, I don't think it's necessary," Illuzzi said, adding "the real solution lies in the Congress, and with the president."
Another Republican, Rep. Heidi Scheuermann of Stowe, said the legislation is "certainly not a priority but I haven't made a decision."
Beth Robinson, an attorney who helped argue the state Supreme Court case whose 1999 ruling forced lawmakers to action, now chairs the Freedom to Marry Task Force. She said the group is heartened by poll results showing growing support for marriage equality.
"I think Vermonters get it," Robinson said. "This is a great way to provide more security for gay couples without hurting anyone else or taking a thing a thing from anybody else. And it's time."
Though liberals enjoy large majorities in both the Vermont House and Senate, a major stumbling block for the legislation could prove to be Republican Gov. Jim Douglas, who does not support the marriage bill and believes existing civil union legislation provides equality. He did not favor the original civil union legislation in 2000.
"Gay marriage is a controversial, divisive issue," Douglas said, preferring he and state lawmakers instead "work together for Vermont's economic future."
But the governor also won't say whether he will veto marriage equality legislation should it land on his desk this spring.
"I think he'll come around," Robinson said. "Because he's in touch with where Vermonters are and they're with us on this. I don't think this is a governor who wants to land on the wrong side of history."Bear held up a homemade sign during Friday's rally to crystallize her argument. It read, "If we're equal, will you trade your marriage for my civil union?"
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