Today is truly a momentous day. Vermont became the first state in the U.S. to legalize gay marriage by an affirmative act of the state legislature:

Vermont has become the fourth state to legalize gay marriage — and the first to do so with a legislature’s vote.

The Legislature voted Tuesday to override Gov. Jim Douglas’ veto of a bill allowing gays and lesbians to marry. The vote was 23-5 to override in the state Senate and 100-49 to override in the House. Under Vermont law, two-thirds of each chamber had to vote for override.

The vote came nine years after Vermont adopted its first-in-the-nation civil unions law.

It’s now the fourth state to permit same-sex marriage. Massachusetts, Connecticut and Iowa are the others. Their approval of gay marriage came from the courts.

I’ve always believed that legislative action was the most effective way to address the marriage equality issue. I’m elated to see that our elected leaders are finally starting to courageously tackle this issue head-on. There may be some hope for us yet.

Andrew Sullivan has compiled a set of reactions here.

  1. Kevin says:

    first iowa and now this, times are good, were on a roll

    I guess the party didnt last too long for the prop 8 people…they dont realize that they are merely resistance to our inevitable progress

    • Metavirus says:

      it's funny, i think the grassroots reaction to prop 8's passage will go down in history as the moment at which the tide turned. the prop 8 supporters grossly underestimated their opponents and have awakened a backlash that will only gain in strength over time

  2. DB says:

    Like Kevin said, this change is inevitable. I welcome this news and hope for more states to follow suit.

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