The Path To Same-Sex Marriage

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VPR News followed the same-sex marriage bill closely through the debate process, votes, a veto and overrides, as the legislation worked its way through the state house. Check out VPR News’ extensive  coverage of the same-sex marriage bill including key interviews, news stories, live reports, photo slide show, call-in programs, listener discussion and commentary.

 

Same-sex couple ties the knot at midnight 

September 1, 2009
One of the first same-sex couples in the state to officially tie the knot did so at the stroke of midnight, and VPR’s Sarah Ashworth was there, and shares their story.

 

 

Legal experts say court cases integral to same-sex marriage victories 

May 8, 2009
In the span of just a month, legislatures in all three states in northern New England have endorsed same-sex marriage. But legal experts say those votes never would have happened without court cases in Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut.

 

Same-Sex Marriage & the Family 

May 5, 2009
Three Supreme Court Justices from different New England states each address their participation in landmark rulings from their respective courts on same-sex marriage.

 

 

VT Edition Interview: John Dillon & Ross Sneyd on the same-sex marriage bill 

April 10, 2009
VPR’s Bob Kinzel discusses the bill with VPRs John Dillon and Ross Sneyd and whether its success will influence the remainder of this year’s legislative session. 

 



Interview: Law professor Gregory Johnson on same-sex marriage

April 8, 2009
The same sex marriage bill passed not by court order as it was in Massachusetts, Connecticut and most recently Iowa, but by an act of legislature that survived a gubernatorial veto. But will that action have ripple effects beyond Vermont’s borders? Gregory Johnson believes it will.

 


For seventh time in Vermont history, a successful veto override

April 8, 2009
For only the seventh time in Vermont history, the Legislature has overruled a gubernatorial veto. That override now means Vermont is the fourth state to allow gays and lesbians couples to marry.

 

The path from civil unions to same-sex marriage in Vermont 

April 7, 2009
Nine years ago, Vermont was alone when it created civil unions for same-sex couples.  That led to a lot of division inside the Statehouse and out. But there was a sense this year that a lot has changed.

 

For advocates of same-sex marriage, a sense of history in the making

April 7, 2009
There was an almost-festive air in the Statehouse among advocates for same-sex marriage. Even before any votes were cast in the House or Senate, there was a sense of history in the making.

 

Supporters of same-sex marriage target lawmakers in override vote 

April 7, 2009
Supporters of the same sex marriage bill targeted two
different groups of lawmakers in their effort to override Governor Douglas’s
veto of their legislation.

 

 

Vermont legalizes same-sex marriage 

April 7, 2009
Vermont became the fourth state in the nation to legalize marriages between same-sex couples today. Speaker Shap Smith announced the result of the override vote to a packed House chamber

 

VT Edition: The House & Senate override reaction

April 7, 2009
Both chambers of the Vermont Legislature voted Tuesday morning to override the governor’s veto, making Vermont the fourth state to allow same-sex marriage. Senate vote: 23 to 5. House vote: 100 to 49. VPR’s Jane Lindholm gets reaction from supporters, opponents, House Speaker Shap Smith, Governor Jim Douglas and reporters in the field.

 

 

Vermont fourth state to legalize same-sex marriage

April 7, 2009

Both the House and Senate passed motions to override Governor Jim Douglas’s veto of the legislation. The Senate voted 23 to 5 in favor of an override. The House voted 100 to 49 in favor of an override.

 

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House vote on the same-sex marriage bill

April 7, 2009

The House has voted 100-49 to override Governor Jim Douglas’s veto of the same sex marriage bill.  Listen to the audio of the vote. Listen to the audio of the vote

Senate vote on the same-sex marriage bill

April 7, 2009
The Senate has voted 23-5 to override Governor Jim Douglas’s veto of the same sex marriage bill. Listen to the audio of the vote.

 

Senate, House Prepare for Override Vote 

April 7, 2009
Governor Jim Douglas vetoed the same sex marriage bill last night, setting the stage for override votes in the Senate and the House this morning. While the Senate is expected to override the governor’s veto, the outcome in the House is less certain.

 

Douglas quickly vetoes marriage bill

April 7, 2009
Governor Jim Douglas has delivered on his promise to veto legislation legalizing same sex marriage in Vermont.The governor said the bill wrongly redefines marriage, which he says should only be between a man and a woman.

 

Douglas issues statement on same-sex marriage veto

April 6, 2009
Governor Jim Douglas has officially vetoed the same-sex marriage bill after the Senate approved changes made by the House last week.

 

 

Special Report: Bob Kinzel live on the Senate vote for the same-sex marriage bill

April 6, 2009
Reporter Bob Kinzel speaks live from Montpelier with VPR’s Neal Charnoff for an update on the same-sex marriage bill that is on its way to the Governor’s desk.
 

 

Lawmakers gear up for same-sex marriage override vote

April 6, 2009

 

House gives final approval to same-sex marriage bill

April 3, 2009
The House has given final approval to a bill legalizing same-sex marriage.But the tally was several votes short of the total needed to override a veto from Governor Jim Douglas.

 

 

 

House gives final approval to same-sex marriage bill by 94-52 vote

April 3, 2009
The Vermont House voted 94-52 today in favor of legalizing marriage between same-sex couples. The vote now puts both the House and Senate on record in favor of the law.
 

 

VT Edition Interview: Ross Sneyd on the same-sex marriage bill

April 3, 2009
VPR’s Bob Kinzel gets an update on the same-sex marriage debate and vote currently taking place in the Legislature from reporter, Ross Sneyd.
 

 

Same sex marriage veto override will come Tuesday April 7

April 3, 2009
VPR News Editor Ross Sneyd reports that Legislative leaders say the votes on whether to override Governor Jim Douglas’ veto of the same-sex marriage bill will come Tuesday.

 


House gives strong preliminary support to same sex marriage bill

April 2, 2009
The House last night gave its strong preliminary approval to the same sex marriage bill, but it’s not clear from the House vote, if backers of the legislation have enough support to override Governor Jim Douglas’s promised veto of the bill.  

 


Advocates on both sides of marriage debate wage media campaigns
 

April 2, 2009
Even before the debate in the House, advocates on both sides of the issue were waging media campaigns to influence legislators – and to sway public opinion.

 

 

Some lawmakers will decide same-sex marriage vote during the debate

April 1, 2009
Backers of the same sex marriage bill say
they expect it to pass easily when the House debates the legislation on Thursday.
But they say it’s very difficult to predict exactly
how many votes it will attract.

 

House committee endorses same-sex marriage; debate set for Thursday 

March 31, 2009
The committee voted 8-2 in favor, with one Republican who supported the bill absent. 

 

Annual Doyle survey shows support for same-sex marriage

March 30, 2009
For the second year in a row, Senator Bill Doyle’s Town Meeting Day Survey shows majority support for same-sex marriage. 

 

 

Same-sex marriage advocates work to veto-proof the vote

March 27, 2009
Supporters of the same sex marriage bill are planning a highly visible public campaign over the next two weeks to try to persuade Governor Jim Douglas not to veto their legislation.  

 

Douglas will veto same-sex marriage bill

March 25, 2009
The effort to pass a same sex marriage bill has hit a major obstacle. Governor Jim Douglas announced this afternoon that he will veto the legislation if it reaches his desk.

 

Governor Douglas says he’ll veto same-sex marriage bill

March 25, 2009
Douglas says he assumes legislators will have enough votes to override his veto.

 

Mullin’s vote for same-sex marriage praised by son

March 25, 2009
Senator Kevin Mullin surprised many of his Rutland County constituents when he voted in favor of the same-sex marriage bill now moving through the legislature.  

 

 

Senate approves same-sex marriage bill

March 23, 2009
The Vermont Senate voted 26-to-four on Monday to approve a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage.

 

Attention turns to Douglas’ action on same-sex marriage bill

March 20, 2009
Now that the Senate Judiciary committee has unanimously approved the same-sex marriage bill, attention at the Statehouse is shifting to what Governor Jim Douglas will do when the bill reaches his desk.

 

Senate Judiciary Committee approves same-sex marriage legislation

March 20, 2009
The Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill today that would legalize same-sex marriage.

 

Opponents of same-sex marriage bill push for non- binding referendum

March 19, 2009
The Senate Judiciary committee is set to vote Friday on the same-sex marriage bill. As VPR’s Bob Kinzel reports, opponents of the bill want to include a non- binding statewide referendum in the legislation.

 

Same sex marriage hearing draws 1,000 people

March 19, 2009
Approximately a thousand people came to the Statehouse last night to attend a special public hearing on the same sex marriage bill. During the three hour hearing, dozens of Vermonters testified both in favor and against the legislation.

 

Click here to listen to the complete audio from the Public Hearing on March 18th

 





 

Special Report: Bob Kinzel live from the Same-Sex Marriage Bill hearing

March 18, 2009
VPR’s Mitch Wertlieb speaks live with reporter Bob Kinzel from the Statehouse during the public hearing of the Same-Sex Marriage Bill.

 

 

Vermont’s religious community divided over same-sex marriage bill

March 18, 2009
Some church leaders came to the Statehouse on Wednesday to condemn the same-sex marriage bill, while others lent their strong support to it.

 

Critics say Senate leaders are rushing the vote on gay marriage

March 17, 2009
The Senate Judiciary committee is set to vote on the gay marriage legislation this Friday – a week after the committee began to deliberate the bill.

 

 

Senate committee begins deliberation of same-sex marriage bill

March 16, 2009
People flocked to the Statehouse to witness the beginning of the gay marriage debate.

 

Opponents of same-sex marriage bill rally at Statehouse

March 16, 2009
Hundreds of gay marriage opponents gathered at the Statehouse on Monday to argue against a bill that they say is bad for children and weakens the traditional institution of marriage.

 

 

VT Edition: Patti Komline & Floyd Nease on legislative priorities

March 16, 2009
VPR’s Jane Lindholm talks with House Minority Leader Patti Komline and House Majority Leader Floyd Nease about what legislative priorities they’ve set for the second half of the session, and what they hope to realistically accomplish.  

 

Debate breaks out about what lawmakers’ priorities should be

March 12, 2009
Even before the Legislature returns to Montpelier from a two-week break, debate has broken out about priorities.

 

Leahy proposes immigration change for same sex couples

March 9, 2009
Same-sex couples in Vermont enjoy the legal benefits not shared by most couples across the country. But couples with one foreign partner still face obstacles. Senator Patrick Leahy wants to change that with new legislation. 

 

Vermont will debate same-sex marriage this year

March 5, 2009
Vermont could become the third state in the nation to legalize gay marriage. 

 

 

Shumlin, Smith say they’ll push Legislature to adopt same-sex marriage

March 5, 2009
Vermont’s legislative leaders committed today to passing a bill that would legalize full marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples.

 

 

Commission stops short of recommending gay marriage

April 21, 2008
A legislative commission has stopped short of recommending that Vermont legalize gay marriage. 

 

 

Related Associated Press Reports

Civil union pioneers plan to wed 

Same-sex marriage could spell tourism boost 

Lawmakers gear up for same-sex marriage override vote 

Committee to vote on same-sex marriage 

NH House approves gay marriage 

Same sex marriage supporters follow Douglas

VT Senate to take up same-sex marriage on Monday 

Legislature gears up for debate on gay marriage

Douglas says he opposes same-sex marriage

Professional groups back same sex marriage in Vermont

NH bills would legalize opposite sex civil unions

 

Vermont Edition Call-in Program

Legislature overrides same-sex marriage veto 

VT Edition Interview: John Gregg on New Hampshire’s same-sex marriage debate 

VT Edition: Peter Shumlin on the same-sex marriage bill 

From Civil Unions to Same Sex Marriage
How has the debate changed? 

 

Interviews

Interview: Stephan Morse on the challenge of voting your conscience 

Interview: E.J. Graff on "traditional" marriage 

Beth Robinson on the prospects for same-sex marriage in Vermont 

Vermont’s former Chief Justice on gay marriage 

 

Commentaries

On the meaning of family 

Two Views: McClaughry on defining marriage

Two Views: Moats on Milk and marriage 

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