Legislature Leads for First Time on Marriage Equality in Vermont

Well, I'm impressed. I really thought that the courts were the institution best suited and likely to protect the rights of an often poorly-understood group of American citizens: gays and lesbians. But Vermont proved me wrong, and I'm tickled. Not only did the Vermont legislature pass legislation to allow same-sex couples to wed, but they overrode the Governor's veto.

Here is more:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090407/ap_on_re_us/gay_marriage_vermont;_ylt=AhknLuWPMPv0.FivXDkw3pB34T0D

And let's not let Vermont overshadow Iowa, whose Supreme Court voted unanimously that preventing gays and lesbians from marrying was unconstitutional. IOWA! This is not some "liberal" New England state here. This is the heartland of the US. Another first!

Not a bad week for the rights of millions of Americans. Let's hope the momentum continues. This will allow us to build fact-based evidence here in the US to disprove fear-based beliefs about what allowing gays to marry will do for the institution of marriage and this country. Look to New England for more victories, as there is a concerted effort there to extend marriage rights in all six of its states by 2012. More here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/05/us/05marriage.html?ref=global-home

To progress and a more complete promise of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness to all Americans! Cheers to that!