Typically, only somber things to read about when it comes to something government does. Here, we see Vermont showing some strength and embracing a little liberty for ALL. To bad CA is too consumed with fear.
Thursday March 16 9:17 PM ET
Vermont Lower House OKs Gay 'Civil Unions'
By Kevin Kelley
MONTPELIER, Vt. (Reuters) - The Vermont House voted on Thursday to recognize same-sex unions, moving the small New England state a major step closer to becoming the first in the United States to give gay people the same rights as married heterosexuals.
The bill, passed by a 76-69 vote after two days of debate, gives gay men and lesbian couples legal rights that are the full equivalent of marriage, including inheritance and child custody rights, and health insurance and pension privileges.
``We as gay and lesbian people, as gay and lesbian couples, we are not a threat to you and your committed relationships or your marriages,'' Rep. William Lippert, the only openly gay legislator in the Vermont House, said before the vote.
Addressing the bill's opponents, he said: ``I am sorry for your fears.''
The measure will now be taken up by the 30-member state Senate, which is generally viewed as receptive to the pioneering proposal.
The bill would then go to the state Democratic governor, Howard Dean, who has promised to sign it into law.
Vermont Rep. Thomas Little, a Republican who guided the bill's passage in the House, said he expected that it would become law before the legislative session ends next month.
The bill, as passed, would require same-sex couples to pay $20 to obtain a civil-union license from a town clerk. They would then have their partnership certified in a ceremony performed by a judge, justice of the peace or clergy member.
Civil unions could be lawfully dissolved only in Family Court, as is the case for married heterosexual couples seeking separation or divorce.
Law Follows Court Ruling
The Vermont Supreme Court, in an unprecedented decision, ruled in December that gays and lesbians were unfairly denied the rights and benefits of marriage. The court left it up to the legislature to resolve the matter.
``It's a breathtaking statute,'' said Gary Buseck, head of Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders, the Boston-based legal group that helped bring the Vermont Supreme Court case.
He marveled at the House's efforts to craft ``a system that parallels marriage as far as benefits, privileges and responsibilities'' and called it ``a breakthrough unknown anywhere else in the United States.
``It really does for the first time legally acknowledge the existence of gay and lesbian families and address their needs for the same protections in the law as any couple and family,'' Buseck said.
Susan Southall, 50, and her partner of 10 years, Katrina Noyes, 58, were among the mostly smiling spectators in the gallery when the vote took place.
``Social Security benefits, inheritance rights and others are obviously very important'' Southall said. ``There are certainly situations in which we could find ourselves where I could not speak for Katrina if she were unable to speak for herself.''
But the pair aren't making any plans just yet.
``We're not going to jump into anything hastily,'' Southall said. ``Just as many heterosexual couples don't automatically jump into marriage. But now we, at least, will have the right, the option available to us.''
Sam Fogel, 80, who identified himself as a heterosexual, was also in the gallery when the vote was taken.
``My view,'' he said, ``is that the legislation, if anything, will increase commitments among people in a way that is positive for society.
Issue Controversial Nationwide
Despite support for the initiative in the mostly rural state of 600,000 people, the issue of gays having the right to civil marriages has become a national controversy for several years. More than 30 tates and the U.S. Congress have passed laws banning gay marriage and refusing to recognize such marriages performed elsewhere.
California voters last week approved a ballot measure opposing gay marriage and the West Virginia legislature is expected to take up a similar measure shortly.
But other states such as Hawaii and Rhode Island are considering expanding the civil rights of homosexuals, and several states have broad gay rights protections already on the book.
No nation allows same-sex marriage. But within the last 10 years several countries including Denmark, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands and France have created a status called registered partnerships.