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Loading ...Vermont gov. to veto gay marriage bill
03.25.2009 3:13pm EDT
(Montpelier, Vermont) Vermont Gov. James Douglas (R) announced Wednesday that he will veto same-sex marriage legislation if it, as expected, passes the House.
Until now, Douglas has been silent on whether he would exercise his veto power, saying only that he thinks the state’s civil unions law is sufficient.The gay marriage bill passed the Senate on Monday 26-4. The House began hearings this week on the legislation.
It is expected that the bill will encounter little difficulty in the House, but the vote will be much closer than in the Senate.
Whether it will garner enough House support to override the veto is unclear.
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.
Under the marriage bill, the civil unions law would allow marriage of same-sex partners beginning Sept. 1. Civil unions, which confer some rights similar to marriage, would still be recognized but no longer granted after Sept. 1.
Supporters cast the debate as a civil rights issue, saying a civil unions law enacted by the state in 2000 has fallen short of the equality it promised same-sex couples. Its appeal has declined, too: In 2001, the state granted 1,876 civil unions, compared with only 262 last year.
An impact study released earlier this month suggests there is a link between the economy and gay marriage.
The study, by the Williams Institute at UCLA, found that approval of gay marriage in Vermont could generate $31 million in new spending and $3.3 million in state taxes over three years.
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.
Opponents say gay marriage would undermine traditional male-female marriage, rendering men and women interchangeable and destroying the connection between children and marriage. They want the question put to voters in a referendum.
He has proven with this one gesture that he has overstayed his time as Governor of Vermont. The entire GLBT community in Vermont and their supporters – need to become very active in seeking out an adequate replacement.
Repugnicans!
First they claim that activist judges have no right to impose equality of other citizens on them, and that it is up to the legislature.
Then, when the legislature tries to impose equality on them, they (remember good ol’ Ahnold!) veto the bill.
So, let’s see: The judicial branch is wrong and the legislature is wrong.
That just leaves the executive branch.
And we can see and have seen how that operates.
Opponents say gay marriage would undermine traditional male-female marriage, rendering men and women interchangeable and destroying the connection between children and marriage. They want the question put to voters in a referendum. CAN SOMEONE EXPLAIN TO ME HOW GAY MARRIAGE WOULD UNDERMINE STR8 MArriages? Str8 people are still straight. They would still get married and still produce children. And unless I’m mistaken, 40% of all children born last year were to unmarried str8 couples, so you don’t even need to be married to do that. This ‘opposition’ argument is illogical, flawed, and based in a great deal of fear. The only people who stand to lose in this are closeted str8 men who will no longer have a clientele of willing partners, because they will no longer have to skulk in bathrooms or make hotel dates. The same thing applies to the military. Nothing hurts str8 men who have sex with men more than Gay men getting their freedom to live openly. Enough already. Gay marriage now!
What Chris said. Ditto for me.
Two words came to my mind when I found out about the governor’s decision: SHATTERED HOPES…he has just shattered the hopes of MANY glbt folks inside and outside of his state who had hoped for marriage equality in Vermont through the legislative process. I hope there’s a special place in hell for people like that governor….
I know the VT Senate had enough votes to override a veto, but I’m not sure the VT House does, what a shame….
The evil party of Darth Vader has spoken again in its relentless, pathetic path in denying our peoples’ rights. Hear that Log Cabins?
Launch an investigation into the life and political dealings of James Douglas and see what dirt he’s hiding. There’s no such thing as a politician who is above reproach. The enemies of freedom must be exposed for the frauds that they are.
It is time to lobby the house incessantly to get a veto-proof majority. Then be sure this idiot is voted out of office.
A bigoted Republican, say it isn’t so!
!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !!!:OIJHF:OIJSdflaksf;dlads
SCREW YOU, BIGOTS!! GET OUT OF MY COUNTRY AND LET ME LOVE IN PEACE!
I can’t believe this!!! How is this not infuriating?? Somebody ought to get this bigot out of America!
I was hoping that since the governor is a Republican from a rather liberal portion of the country, the bigotry of the radical parts of the Republican Party wouldn’t wear off on him. Sadly, that isn’t the case. It’s a disappointing that another Republican fails to adhere to the party’s true beliefs and give equality to all.
As a gay Republican, I am quite disappointed.
Yah go ahead and pander to your whacko religious base Mr. Assh*le Douglas. Save your precious face and have the House and Senate do what you lack the balls to do! Your putrid a*s is gone next election cycle. Enjoy your 15 minutes of fame. It will pass just like your loony ultra conservative nutbase of supporters are beginning to fade from U.S. politics.
how long does this idiot republican have left in office? apparently he isnt paying attention to whats happening in the New England States Republicans are on their way out the door and freedom is spreading like a virus EVERYONE with a brain in their head is tired of their way of thinking dont give up Vermont and keep fighting it isnt over yet
The Republican Party was once the party of personal freedom, limited government, and “keep the government out of my private life.” Remember who freed this nation from slavery? Now, sadly, it has been hijacked by a group of ultra right wing bigots who are destroying it at a rapid pace. One would expect better from a governor of Vermont, who would be expected to display the true philosphy of the party in a state known for its liberties and individualism. On the other side, how about those 3 Democrat state senators blocking gay marriage legislation in New York State? Both parties could use a spring house cleaning!