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Loading ...Vermont Dems pledge gay marriage bill passage
03.06.2009 1:00pm EST
(Montpelier, Vermont) The state leaders of the House and Senate have announced they will begin work on passing a marriage equality bill when the Legislature returns March 16.
At a joint news conference at the State House Senate President Pro Tempore Peter Shumlin (D) and Speaker of the House Shap Smith (D) said the Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a week of testimony and a public hearing on the bill beginning March 16.The bill was introduced last month, with 59 sponsors in the House – all Democrats.
Shumlin and Smith said they expected the committee to approve the measure and that it would easily make it through both houses despite Republican opposition.
Vermont was the first state in the country to legalize civil unions in 2000. Since then LGBT groups have criticized the law for creating a “two tiered” system – marriage for opposite-sex couples and civil unions for gays.
An 11-member commission was set up last year by Shumlin and Smith to look into the civil unions law to see if it is providing equality for gay and lesbian couples.
It submitted its report to the legislature last April, but made no recommendations on revising the law to allow for same-sex marriage.
Shumlin, who spearheaded the civil union bill nine years ago, said at the news conference that the law hasn’t kept up with the times. Massachusetts and Connecticut allow same-sex marriage and gay marriage bills are under consideration in Maine and New Hampshire.
“[I]t’s become clear that we can and should work to pass a bill promoting the equal right to marry this year,” Shumlin told reporters.
But if the bill passes the legislature it is doubtful Republican Gov. James Douglas will sign it.
Douglas, through a spokesperson, said that the governor believes civil unions are sufficient.
“Gov. Douglas believes that we have achieved equality through our civil union law,” said Douglas’ Deputy Chief of Staff Dennise Casey.
Last November, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, the Boston-based LGBT rights group that brought the successful legal challenges leading to same-sex marriage in Massachusetts and Connecticut launched the “Six by Twelve” campaign to legalize gay marriage throughout all six New England states by 2012.
It’s amazing to see a plan come together. Most of the states are aligning together at such a perfect time. We have done the math and to be honest with y’all, this state doesn’t allow that kind of activity here. Sooo, I have come to the decision that we will hjust have to go to the White House and be married there. It wiill be a big wedding and everyone will be invited. Plenty of good music and dance. You know, we are the only ones that can throw the best parties. Republicans may not be happ. We will invite them because that’s who we are. We don’t discriminate. They may change their ways. Loosen their ties. Heck, we may even invite our Governor. YIKES! He hasn’t been doing too good lately…:)
“the governor believes civil unions are sufficient.”. Does he have one?
DUguyz in mississippi is a typical example of fluffy ass PC hetero asskissing! One need look no further than types like him and his “let’s invite the repugnant thugs” cuz “that’s who we are” bullsh*t!! LMAO
The argument against “gay marriage” is volatile, vehement and irrational. People need to consider what marriage is and is not. Civil Marriages are a civil contract presided over by a civil official and enforceble in a court of law. Law determines who is eligible for marriage (currently, a man and woman in most jurisdictions). The government automatically grants about 1400 rights to married couples. These rights cannot be duplicated by any other legal work and can only be mimiced by a vast amount of legal paperwork at great expense to same sex couple who need to purchase such protections as may be available to them.
The government has deemed to recognize most marriages performed in a church provided that the couple is a man and a woman. Same sex couple married in a church do not receive recognition or the rights afforded by government. This is actually religious discrimination and the government showing preference for one religion over another. Both are banned by the U.S. Constitution.
Fairness and equitable treatment requires that citizens, whether they are a gay couple or a heterosexual couple, be afforded the same rights and held accountable for the same responsibilties as heterosexual couples are.
Church Marriages are often considered a sacrament or religious rite. Churches determine who may receive their sacraments or rites. The majority of churches limit the sacrament or right to heterosexual couples according to their doctrine, tenents and understanding of sacred literature. Many churches however do marry same sex couples or bless thier unions in a rite. Churches should be allowed to determine who they marry BUT if the government recognizes one churches marriages then it should recognize all churches marriages.
Alternately. we could do as they do in some countries. Have Civil Marriages that are reconized by civil government (and only civil marriages) and couple who wish may also marry within their church.
Churches have always had thier laws (an often courts) that thier members are expected to adhere to or face dicipline (reprimand, excommunication, denial of the sacraments,etc,).
The government has its own laws. Citizens are expected to live within those laws or face charges in a civil court of law.
Church law and Civil Law may be similar at times but are not and do not have to be the same set of laws. If both are the same you have a Theocracy.
Gay couples, especially those that have children, face very similar challenges and circumstances as do their heterosexual counterparts. Should we have kids? Where do we send the kids to school? Should we join a chrch? Which one? How should we divide up the labor in the household? Should both of us be employed outside the home? Should one of us be a say at home parent? Should we buy a house or rent? Where should we go on vacation? Do we need life insurance? How much? How do we plan for retirement? What would happen if one of us becomes disabled? Should we buy our child a car for their 16th birtday? How do we pay for the childrens’ education?
The questions and circumstances are very similar. The love and commitment are very similar. The responsibilites and cahllenges are very similar.
The ONLY question gay couple don’t have to ask is “Should we practice birth control”?
Love, live and let live. Equal marrriage for all.