Senate OKs Gay marriage in Vermont

Great News for family in Vermont!

The Vermont Senate voted 26-4 today in favor of the same-sex marriage bill.

The bill will have third reading and vote Tuesday. All bills have three readings. It is designed for people to reconsider or amend an item, but it unlikely that a vote would change on a third reading.

A similar measure begins moving through the House on Tuesday with testimony before the House Judiciary Committee. A full vote on that measure wouldn't come before next week.

The four senators who voted against the measure are: Randy Brock (R-Franklin County), Vince Illuzzi (R-Essex/Orleans), Hull Maynard (R-Rutland County) and Bobby Starr (D-Essex/Orleans).

Senators who had been undecided, including Sen. Dick Mazza (D-Chittenden/Grand Isle), Phil Scott (R-Washington) and Bill Doyle (R-Washington), all voted in favor of the bill.

Several senators made empassioned speeches on the floor in favor of and against the bill.

"We're not condoning homosexuality," Sen. John Campbell, D-Windsor, told the Senate just before the vote. "What we're doing is recognizing that some people are homosexuals."

Sen. Kevin Mullin, R-Rutland, who tried unsuccessfully to put the issue to a public referendum, said he believed a referencum would pass among Vermonters. "I fervently believe the people of this state are ready for this action," he said.

Sen. Randy Brock, R-Franklin, spoke out against the bill. He said he believes civil unions afford same-sex couples all the rights of marriage, that the majority of his constituents oppose same-sex marriage and that the legislation was too hastily passed.

'We have denied Vermonters the full opportunity to epxress their opinions," Brock said.

I'm sure the crazies are up in arms over this.

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