The reason the Vermont senate passing the marriage equality bill is a big deal

is because this bill was born in halls of the Vermont legislature.

It wasn't the result of an edict by a state Supreme Court, like Mass and CT, both of whom were forced to act after marriage discrimination against same sex couples was declared unconstitutional.

Marriage equality was also passed by the California legislature but vetoed by Schwarzenegger and then we all know what ensued when the CA Supreme Court ruling came down.

What this means for Vermont and the nation is that if this passes the VT House and is signed into law by the Guv'nah, Vermont becomes the first state that codified marriage equality totally through the normal legislative process.

The rightwingers will not be able to say that this was unelected activist judges changing the law.

Because, it will be the will of the people through their elected representatives.

Yowza!

:grouphug:

with the heart to do the right thing.

Unfortunately, many of our Dem leaders are cowards on this issue.

Repubs are virulently anti choice, despite the numbers being against them, so voters see it as being "principled", even though they disagree with them.

Dems could do the same, but instead we get this "I favor civil unions and think marriage is between a man and a woman." When we know perfectly well that they are lying - they privately are fine with marriage equality, they just think it's a third rail issue.

Vermont will have its rightful place in the history books for this. It sounds like the VT House is a lock as well?

Thanks cali. :)