Will Vermont Allow Same-Sex Marriage?
Bianca Slota - WCAX News
http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=9634226 (http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=9634226)
Montpelier, Vermont - January 7, 2009
It has been nine years since Vermont lawmakers and residents were embroiled in a bitter battle over civil unions. In the meantime two states -- Massachusetts and Connecticut -- have granted same-sex couples the right to marry. New Jersey and New Hampshire started offering civil unions, and California performed same-sex marriages until voters passed Proposition 8, which bans gay marriage, on November 4, 2008.
Now Vermont could be on the cusp of becoming the next state to grant same-sex couples the right to marry. Senator John Campbell, D-Quechee, has introduced a bill that would do just that. It also grants religious institutions the right to deny performing the marriages.
"I believe very strongly that the people of Vermont do support equality for all people," says Campbell.