D.C. City Council approves Same-sex marriage

D.C. just did it! They approved same-sex marriage in the nation's capital.

The City Council passed a measure Tuesday legalizing same-sex marriage, making the nation’s capital the first jurisdiction below the Mason-Dixon Line to allow such unions.

The bill, which passed by an 11-2 vote, may still face obstacles in Congress, among city voters and in the courts, but most advocates say they expect it to become law by the spring. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty has said he will sign it.

“Today’s vote is an important victory not only for the gay and lesbian community but for everyone who supports equal rights,” said Councilman David A. Catania, an independent and the author of the bill.

Opponents have vowed to overturn the bill by putting it to a referendum or by working with Congress, which has a month to review the measure once it is signed.

Of course, Bishop Harry Jackson will clown, but I think the LGBT peeps are ready for him and his drama.

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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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