Vermont takes step toward gay marriage

MONTPELIER, Vt. — After impassioned pleas from gay and lesbian legislators sharing their own love stories in front of hundreds of partisans packing the chamber, the Vermont House on Thursday advanced a bill that would allow same-sex couples to marry.

Rep. Jason Lorber, D-Burlington, told of seeing his and his partner's civil union announcement in the newspaper in a "civil-union" category separate from the marriage announcements.

"Why do we have to differentiate?" a weeping Lorber asked his House colleagues. "Why do we have to say you are different? Why can't we just say, 'Congratulations' ?"

After about five hours of debate, the House gave the bill preliminary approval on a 95-52 roll-call vote. The margin was less than the two-thirds majority that would be needed for the 150-member House to override Gov. Jim Douglas' promised veto. The Senate previously had passed the bill 26-4, so a veto override is seen as likely there.

Opponents of the measure spoke of their respect for its advocates. One, Rep. Albert "Sonny" Audette, D-South Burlington, expressed sadness at having concluded he was required by his church to vote 'no.'

"I am a devout Catholic," Audette said. "My religion at this point would not want me to vote for this. I wish that I could, and I hope for the best, and I congratulate the people who are trying to get this through."

Only Massachusetts and Connecticut permit same-sex marriage. California, which briefly allowed it before a voter initiative in November repealed it, allows domestic partnerships, as do a handful of other states.

Rep. Duncan Kilmartin, R-Newport, said he feared that people who oppose same-sex marriage would have their beliefs impinged upon by the law. He said a Massachusetts court had ruled against parents who objected to their children being taught in a public school that gay and lesbian couples have "an acceptable lifestyle."

"You do not have the right to demand that we approve same-sex marriage, even if you pass a law saying it's the law of Vermont," Kilmartin said.

Rep. Rick Hube, R-Londonderry, said he favored limited government and maximizing the ability for people to choose their own lifestyles. He said he had voted against Vermont's first-in-the-nation civil-union law in 2000 but had changed his thinking.

"This, to me, is not about religion, civil rights or the institution of marriage," Hube said. "This, to me, is about being true to a set of principles. People should have the opportunity to make choices and have control over their own lives."