Vermont has become the fourth state to legalize gay marriage after its House barely overcame Governor Jim Douglas’s bill veto in a 100-49 vote (the Senate’s vote was not close, 23-5).

Governor Douglas felt that there were other things that should have been taking up the government’s time, “What really disappoints me is that we have spent some time on an issue during which another thousand Vermonters have lost their jobs…We need to turn out attention to balancing a budget without raising taxes, growing the economy, putting more people to work.” He added that the law would not improve gay and lesbians’ situation because it gives them no rights under federal laws or the laws of other states. However, gay marriage supporters were elated, with some indicating they finally felt equal to other couples.

Supporters of the bill had to work hard to garner the necessary vote-count because the bill had originally passed by only a 95-52 margin, which would not be enough to override a veto.

Laws legalizing gay marriage continue to be considered in other New England states such as Maine and New Hampshire.

“You realize that, you know, it’s a poker game in some ways,” Young said. “Chips on the table. I’m a freshman. I have no chips. If I … had 20 years of chips, I probably could play any card I want. I don’t have that option.”

He added, “It’s the way the political game is played.”

  • AP: Vermont legalizes gay marriage with veto override (Yahoo! News)
  • AP: Gay marriage laws in the US
  • New York Times: Vermont Legislature Makes Same-Sex Marriage Legal
  • AP: Gay marriage effort shifts back to New England (Google News)
  • AP: NH House approves bill to allow gay marriage (FindLaw)
  • WNYT: VT Governor pledges to veto same sex marriage bill
  • Same-Sex Couples and the Law (FindLaw)
  • Marriage Overview (provided by the Law Office of Curtis R. Cowan)
  • Family Law Center (FindLaw)

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