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Vermont passes gay marriage; Iowa overturns gay marriage ban; WA closer to 'Everything but marriage'
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Across the country, the definition of families is slowly evolving this week. Last night, Vermont became the first state to approve same-sex marriage through legislation without pressure from the courts. It now heads to the desk of Governor Jim Douglas, who has vowed to veto the bill. At that point, the Vermont House would have the opportunity to overturn the veto.
It is unclear whether an overturn of the veto is possible- the final vote was 95-52, short of the 100 needed to overturn a veto, but some legislators who voted "no" indicated they would join their colleagues in voting to overturn a veto. Rep. Johanna Donovan, D-Burlington said, "There's only one thing truly equal to marriage, and that's marriage. Now is the time to give civil unions a respectful burial."
If the Vermont legislature successfully overturns a veto, it would become the first state to legalize same-sex marriage solely through legislation, rather than being forced to do so because of court rulings.
Meanwhile, in Iowa, the state Supreme Court has ruled the same-sex marriage ban there is unconstitutional. By overturning the law, the Court has made Iowa the third state to legalize gay marriage. The state legislature can address the issue in some way, but it is unlikely to do so this year, as the legislative session is almost over for the year.
According to the Des Moines Register, marriage licenses can be issued 3 weeks after the ruling, meaing same-sex marriages could begin on April 24. Iowa joins Massachusetts and Connecticut in not outlawing same-sex marriage. California courts overturned a ban on gay marriage, but voter initiative Prop. 8 re-established the ban.
In local news, Washington State is closer to providing same-sex couples all the same rights as married couples as the "Everything but marriage" bill continues to move forward. According to representatives at the Legislative Hotline, SB 5688, which expands the rights of registered domestic partners, moved out of an Executive Action Committee on March 26 and moves to an April 6 meeting of the Ways and Means Committee. At that point, it could move to a full vote of the Senate. If approved there, it would return to the House for a final vote. Currently, New Jersey and New Hampshire offer civil unions, which provide similar rights to married couples. Washington's "Everything but marriage" bill would give same-sex couples equivalent rights to married couples, although it would not be legalizing "gay marriage".
States that allow civil unions but not same-sex marriage are Washington, Oregon, New Hampshire, and Vermont.
Read more:
Burlington Free Press: House approves same-sex marriage bill
MSNBC: Iowa gay marriage ban ruled unconstitutional
'Everything but marriage' bill closer to passage in WA State; Vermont closer to gay marriage rights
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