Gay Rights Groups Celebrate Victories in Marriage Push

[iandhr]

Source: NY TIMES

MONTPELIER, Vt. — Gay-rights groups say that momentum from back-to-back victories on same-sex marriage in Vermont and Iowa could spill into other states, particularly since at least nine other legislatures are considering measures this year to allow marriage between gay couples.

The Vermont Legislature on Tuesday overrode Gov. Jim Douglas’s veto of a bill allowing gay couples to marry, mustering one more vote than needed to preserve the measure.

The step makes Vermont the first state to allow same-sex marriage through legislative action instead of a court ruling, and comes less than a week after the Iowa Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriages in that state.

New York, New Jersey, Maine and New Hampshire are among the states where such proposals have gained legislative support in recent months.

“This is a reminder to those legislatures that they should finish the job,” said Evan Wolfson, executive director of Freedom to Marry, a national advocacy group based in New York. “Contrary to the claims made by the opponents of equality, it’s not just judges, it’s not just the coasts, and it’s not just going away.”

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/08/us/08vermont.html?hpw

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"The vote in Vermont came on the same day the Council of the District of Columbia gave preliminary approval to a plan recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere. Since Congress has the option of overriding that vote, the battle over same sex-marriage could end up on the federal stage this year."

Polls suggest that Americans remain divided on the issue. A CBS News poll last week found that while 6 out of 10 Americans think some form of legal recognition is appropriate for same-sex couples, only a third think those couples should be allowed to marry. Americans are somewhat more supportive of same-sex marriage than in 2004, when just 22 percent supported it.


Unfortunately it is still not politically feasible to support gay marriage in a national race. Also the President supports civil unions not gay marriage, one of the only issues where we disagree. Unfortunately I think that Congress will override the DC city council to take away the GOPs one issue. Remember the fear mongering worked in a progressive state like CA it will certainly work in states like PA, OH, VA, FL states we need to win in 2012. We will eventually win this battle but it won't be by 2012. Remember 18-29 years old voted 60-28 against prop 8. In 20 years or so we will be . Sorry if I seam a little negative. To be clear I am very happy about Vermont and Iowa

[GinaMaria]

1. When did other people's opinions start meaning anything when it comes to marriage?

Polls suggest that Americans remain divided on the issue. A CBS News poll last week found that while 6 out of 10 Americans think some form of legal recognition is appropriate for same-sex couples, only a third think those couples should be allowed to marry. Americans are somewhat more supportive of same-sex marriage than in 2004, when just 22 percent supported it.

People might have an opinion about it but do they ever ask in these polls, "Is it any of your business?" or "Would you like it if gay people had to approve of your marriage in order for you to be married", or "Do Americans have the right to determine who can marry and who cannot?" we might see some interesting answers. Measuring opinion is one thing. Measuring tolerance is another.

Seriously, this is messed up.

[iandhr]

2. I want to be clear

And I am I am sorry if I was not before. I firmly believe in marriage equality. I look forward to the day when a majority sees it our way. There was a time when a majority favored segregation. That battle was won. This battle will also be won. But it might take long time to win. That was the point I was trying to make.

[GinaMaria]

3. I want to be clear too

I wasn't posting my outrage at any of your comments but to the very idea of polling people on their opinion of other people's choices. Polling on this issue seems to legitimize or reinforce that people have a 'right' to decide this for others. Does this make sense?

[iandhr]

5. sure I agree with you when it comes.

to matters of equally we should not ask for a show of hands

[No Elephants]

4. You sound like someone who has a right to marry the gender to which you are attracted. Those who

don't have that right haven't had it for millenia. And may die before they get it. Not so easy to be patient under those circumstances.

[iandhr]

6. I under stand that ponit

If it was up to me gays would have had the right to marry a very long time ago.

[Ian David]

7. If your marriage is yucky, it can prevent your nextdoor neighbor from getting an erection. n/t