The Vermont legislature voted this morning to override Governor Jim Douglas’ veto of its same-sex marriage bill.  Although the House’s initial passage of the bill had fallen short of a two-thirds majority, several legislators changed sides to pass the override by a vote of 100-49; the Senate’s override passed by a vote of 23-5.

Vermont now becomes the fourth US state (not counting California) to legalize gay marriage, and the first to do so through the legislative process.  As such, this victory is especially noteworthy as the religious right cannot accuse “activist judges” of overriding the “will of the people” to bring marriage equality to Vermont.

Categorized in:

Tagged in: