Governor's Veto Doesn't Stop Same-Sex Marriage Bill

By the slimmest of margins, the Legislature on April 7, 2009 overrode Gov. James Douglas’s veto of S. 115, the same-sex marriage bill, making Vermont the first state in the country to grant marriage-equality for gay and lesbian couples without court-ordered action.

The House vote was 100-49, the Senate vote 23-7.

The dramatic vote in the House brought supporters to their feet. Speaker Shap Smith gaveled for order, but a celebratory gathering quickly formed in the caucus room downstairs.

The action was a decisive blow to Douglas, who several weeks before broke his noncommittal stance on the bill and announced he would veto any same-sex marriage bill that came to his desk.

Passage of similar bills in Maine and New Hampshire this year means all New England states but one -- Rhode Island -- provide marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples.

There were rumors at the beginning of the 2009 session that a gay-marriage bill would be taken up by the Vermont Legislature. But it wasn't until the Town Meeting break that legislative leaders announced the bill would be a priority.

The bill started in the Senate Judiciary Committee, with testimony and a public hearing. After passage by the full Senate, the bill then crossed to the House, which approved it April 3. Douglas quickly vetoed the measure, setting up the dramatic showdown four days later.

Besides the New England states, Iowa allows same-sex marriage. California had as well until a ballot initiative overturned it. An effort is now under way for a new vote.

California’s same-sex marriage provisions are now being challenged following a voter initiative in November.

Read the marriage equality bill, Act 3.

Same-sex marriage. The ACLU-VT's testimony to the Vermont Commission on Family Recognition and Protection December 2007.

Same-sex marriage. The ACLU-VT's testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee March 2009.

Same-sex marriage. The ACLU-VT's testimony to the House Judiciary Committee March 2009.

Same-sex marriage. The ACLU-VT's open letter to Gov. James Douglas.

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