News on Vermont

Hawaii To Issue Civil Union Licenses For Gay Couples Starting December 3

2011-09-08T07:00:28Z

Hawaii officials expect to begin issuing civil union licenses for gay and lesbian couples by December 3

Hawaii officials expect to begin issuing civil union licenses for gay and lesbian couples by December 3, the Honolulu Star Advertiser reported.

However, Hawaii's civil unions law won't take effect until January 1, 2012, and civil union licenses expire aft...

Majority Of Vermont Voters Support Gay Marriage Law

2011-08-11T07:30:10Z

The majority of voters in Vermont support the state's 2-year-old gay marriage law

The majority of voters in Vermont support the state's 2-year-old gay marriage law.

Vermont was the first state in the nation to legalize civil unions in 2000, and in 2009 lawmakers upgraded gay and lesbian couples to full marriage. Vermont was the first state to legalize gay marriage without being required to do so by a court or...

Why the passage of gay marriage in Vermont is considered as groundbreaking

2010-11-29T15:45:28Z

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Same-sex marriage: Where is gay marriage legal?

2010-11-29T15:45:26Z

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Same-sex marriage state laws in the United States

2010-11-29T15:45:25Z

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Humor: Gay wedding planning

2010-11-04T15:14:46Z

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Gay Marriage in America (The Gathering Storm)

2010-11-03T03:14:21Z

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Recognition of Existing Same-Sex Marriages

2010-11-03T09:21:03Z

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NY assembly shelves gay marriage vote

2010-06-25T19:51:08Z

New York's state assembly on Tuesday put off a tentatively planned vote on a bill that would allow same-sex marriage, but could revisit the controversial issue next week.

"A vote did not take place. They are negotiating," a spokeswoman for the assembly's upper house, the State Senate, told AFP.

Governor David Paterson had asked Monday for the upper house to vote Tuesday on a bill allowing gay nuptials. He said after ...

NY assembly postpones gay marriage vote

2010-06-25T19:50:56Z

New York's state assembly on Tuesday put off a tentatively planned vote on a bill that would allow same-sex marriage, but could revisit the controversial issue next week.

"A vote did not take place. They are negotiating," a spokeswoman for the assembly's upper house, the State Senate, told AFP.

Governor David Paterson had asked Monday for the upper house to vote Tuesday on a bill allowing gay nuptials. He said after ...

New survey shows rising support for civil unions

2010-04-16T09:54:32Z

National survey: More support for civil unions, but majority still opposes gay marriage

An increasing majority of Americans favors allowing same-sex couples to obtain most of the same rights as married straight couples, but only 39 percent support legalization of same-sex marriage, according to a poll released Friday.

The Pew Research Center said support for civil unions has risen to 57 pe...

Breakup Advice for Gay Couples Who Married or Registered in More Than One Place

2010-11-03T09:20:52Z

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Domestic Partnership Benefits

2010-11-03T09:20:51Z

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Gay Marriage Begins Tuesday In Vermont

2010-06-25T20:52:30Z

A gay marriage law approved by Vermont lawmakers in April takes effect on Tuesday

A gay marriage law approved by Vermont lawmakers in April takes effect on Tuesday, but officials are not expecting a rush to the altar.

Vermont is the first state to legalize gay marriage legislatively, instead of by court order.

Gay marriage proponents in the Legislature managed to cobble together the bare minimum of v...

Same-sex marriages begin in Vermont

2010-04-16T10:33:40Z

Gay weddings begin in Vermont as new law allowing same-sex marriages takes effect

After 17 years together, Bill Slimback and Bob Sullivan couldn't wait another minute to get married. So they didn't.

With Vermont's new law allowing same-sex marriage only a minute old, they tied the knot in a midnight ceremony at a rustic lodge, becoming one of the first coupl...

Slow start: No rush for same-sex weddings in Vt.

2010-04-16T10:35:09Z

In Vermont, same-sex weddings not the draw that civil unions were when state held a monopoly

Bed-and-breakfast owner Jeff Connor was hoping for a boom in business once Vermont opened the door for same-sex couples to marry.

The law takes effect Tuesday, but he's still waiting. So far, he has only one wedding celebration planned at the 11-unit Australia's government has voted in favor of recognizing gay unions but stopped short of endorsing gay marriage

Australia's government has voted in favor of recognizing gay and lesbian unions but stopped short of endorsing gay marriage, the AFP reported.

Labour Party leaders voted on Saturday on a watered-down resolution calling for the legalization of gay marriage in the former British colony.

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Gay Marriage Dominates Online, Ignored Offline

2010-06-25T22:02:22Z

Coverage of gay marriage dominates the conversation online but is being roundly ignored by traditional offline media sources

Coverage of gay marriage continues to dominate the conversation online but is being roundly ignored by traditional offline media sources, according to newly released New Media Index figures by the Pew Research Center's

New Hampshire assembly approves gay marriage

2010-04-16T11:58:10Z

New Hampshire's legislature on Wednesday passed a bill that would make the northeastern state the sixth in the country to allow same-sex marriage.

The lower house passed the bill by a simple majority. The upper house has already passed the same draft law.

Governor John Lynch, a Democrat, must now sign or veto the bill. He has previously indic...

Gay-marriage bill stalls in New Hampshire

2010-06-25T22:16:15Z

MANCHESTER, New Hampshire (Reuters) - A bill that would have made New Hampshire the sixth state in the United States to authorize gay marriage stalled unexpectedly Wednesday over concessions to religious groups opposed to such...

U.S. governor seeks changes to gay-marriage bill

2010-06-25T22:22:58Z

BOSTON (Reuters) - New Hampshire's governor asked state lawmakers on Thursday to revise a gay-marriage bill to increase legal protections for religious institutions opposed to gay marriage, and promised to sign it if the new version passes the legislature.

Both chambers of the Democrat-controlled state legislature approved a bill this year to legalize same-sex...

Gay marriage passes first vote in New York state

2010-06-25T22:25:14Z

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The New York State Assembly passed a bill to legalize gay marriage on Tuesday, but the measure still faces an uphill battle in the state Senate.

The measure, introduced last month by Governor David Paterson, passed by a margin of 89 to 52 in the state's lower h...

Maine Fifth State To Legalize Gay Marriage

2010-04-16T12:28:33Z

Maine Governor John Baldacci has signed a gay marriage bill, making Maine the fifth state to legalize gay marriage

Maine Governor John Baldacci has signed a gay marriage bill, making Maine the fifth state to legalize gay marriage, the AP reports.

Senators held a final vote Wednesday on Senator Dennis S. D...

Maine becomes 5th state to approve gay marriage

2010-04-16T12:28:24Z

The governor of Maine on Wednesday signed a law making the northeastern US state the fifth to allow gays to marry.

Governor John Baldacci, a Democrat, signed the law after the upper chamber in the state legislature voted 21 to 13 in favor.

"In the past, I opposed gay marriage while supporting the idea of civil unions," B...

Gay Marriage Support Surges In Single Month

2010-06-25T22:34:54Z

New poll finds gay marriage support has jumped nine points in a single month

A new 'CBS News/New York Times' poll finds 42% of Americans now approve of gay marriage, a dramatic nine point increase in a single month.

Respondents now support legally recognizing unions – either marriage, civil unions o...

National poll: mixed views on gay-rights issues

2010-04-16T12:38:01Z

National poll: No to gay marriage, yes to civil unions, gays in military

A majority of Americans oppose gay marriage but support civil unions for same-sex couples and favor repeal of the ban on gays serving openly in the military, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released Thursday.

Quinnipiac's polling institute, which surveyed 2,041 registered voters nationwide, said it was o...

NY Governor Announces Gay Marriage Bill

2010-06-12T12:06:44Z

Flanked by powerful political allies, NY Governor Paterson announced plans to introduce a gay marriage bill

Flanked by powerful political allies – including New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and openly lesbian New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn &#8...

NY Governor To Introduce Gay Marriage Bill Thursday

2010-06-12T12:06:46Z

New York Governor David Paterson is expected to introduce a gay marriage bill on Thursday

New York Governor David Paterson is expected to introduce a gay marriage bill on Thursday, reports the 'New York Times'.

Paterson indicated last week he would move on the legislation.

Speaking on WHCU-AM Wednesday, th...

TIME -- Is Same-Sex Marriage Inevitable?

2010-10-23T22:44:13Z

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New Hampshire Senate Prepares For Gay Marriage Debate

2010-06-26T01:29:44Z

On the heels of two gay marriage wins, the New Hampshire Senate prepares to take up the issue

On the heels of two gay marriage wins, the New Hampshire Senate prepares to take up the issue.

New Hampshire Representative Jim Splaine's bill that seeks to grant gay and lesbian couples the right to marry narrowly won a...

The Public Battle for Marriage Is Over

2010-10-23T22:23:17Z

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Rhode Island Governor Joins Anti-Gay Group

2010-04-16T15:42:12Z

Rhode Island Governor Donald Carcieri and wife join anti-gay marriage group NOM

As Rhode Island prepares to become one of the next battlegrounds in the gay marriage debate, Governor Donald Carcieri has announced he and his wife, Sue, have joined the Rhode Island Chapter of the Historic vote in Vermont House brings tears of joy to eyes of gay marriage supporters

A sign planted outside the Vermont capitol read, "Let Love Win." For gays and lesbians seeking the right to marry, it did.

The state House on Tuesday narrowly achieved the votes necessary to override Gov. Jim Douglas' veto of a bill that allowing gays and lesbians to marr...

Vermont Becomes Fourth State to Approve Gay Marriage

2010-10-23T22:23:22Z

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Same-Sex Marriage: A Week for the History Books

2010-10-21T09:29:33Z

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Apr 8, 2009

2010-10-23T22:23:22Z

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Vermont overrules governor, legalizes gay marriage

2010-06-26T01:28:46Z

Vermont's Democratic-led assembly on Tuesday dramatically overrode a veto by the Republican governor to legalize same-sex marriage, becoming the fourth US state to adopt the measure.

Lawmakers narrowly secured the two thirds majority needed to overturn Governor Jim Douglas' veto, with the State Senate voting 23 to five in favor and the lower house voting 100 to 49 in ...

Vermont Legalizes Gay Marriage

2010-06-26T01:28:59Z

Vermont lawmakers override governor's veto to legalize gay marriage in the state

Vermont is now the first state to legalize gay marriage legislatively, instead of by court order. This is the second state in as many weeks to extend marriage to gay and lesbian couples. Last week, the Iowa Supreme Court unanimously legalized gay marriage.

Gay marriage proponents barely managed to override...

Gingrich: Iowa ruling shows `judicial arrogance'

2010-06-26T01:29:15Z

Gingrich criticizes ruling legalizing gay marriage in Iowa, calls Vt. process `healthier'

Former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich said Tuesday that a recent Iowa Supreme Court decision to legalize gay marriage was "outrageously wrong," but called a legislative override that made it legal in

Washington D.C. Recognizes Gay Marriage

2010-04-16T15:36:50Z

Washington D.C. moves to recognize gay marriage

The Washington D.C. Council has approved a measure to recognize legal gay marriages performed in other states and countries, reports the 'Washington Times'.

“This is the march towards human right...

Vermont Legislature Puts Gay Couples At Ease With Marriage Vote

2010-10-21T09:29:33Z

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Gay Activists In Vermont Search For Last Vote

2010-06-26T01:31:55Z

Gay activists in Vermont may be as close as one vote to passing a gay marriage bill

Gay activists in Vermont may be as close as one vote to passing a gay marriage bill.

Thursday, the Vermont House approved a gay marriage bill by a 95 to 52 vote, 5 votes shy of the needed two-thirds majority to override a promised veto from Governor Jim Douglas. The S...

Vermont House Passes Gay Marriage; Veto Looms

2010-04-16T15:48:40Z

Vermont House passes a gay marriage bill but a promised veto by Governor Douglas threatens to derail the effort

With five votes shy of the two-thirds majority needed to override a promised veto by Governor Jim Douglas the Vermont House passed a gay marriage bill late last night. Senators had already approved the measure by a veto-proof majority of 26-4.

The Democratic-led House vote of 95 to 52 ca...

Vt.'s GOP governor says he'll veto gay marriage

2010-06-26T02:00:36Z

Vermont's Republican Gov. Jim Douglas says he'll veto same-sex marriage bill if it passes

Gov. Jim Douglas said Wednesday he will veto a gay-marriage proposal if it passes the Legislature, the first time he has signaled such an intent before final legislative action on a bill.

Speaking at an afternoon news conference, the Republican governor said that he thought Vermont Senate panel unanimously approves bill that would allow gay, lesbian couples to marry

A state Senate committee unanimously approved a gay marriage bill on Friday, moving Vermont one step closer to allowing same-sex couples to legally wed.

"It provides ... gay and lesbian couples the same rights that I have as a married heterosexual," ...

Gay Marriage Debate Divides Vermont

2010-06-26T01:42:01Z

Day three of gay marriage hearings reveals Vermonters remain divided on gay marriage after 9 years of civil unions

Day three of a week's worth of hearings on a gay marriage bill in Vermont turned sharply divided as hundreds showed up at the state Capitol eager to testify.

Vermont is setting the stage to become the first state to legislatively extend marriage to gay and lesbian couples.

Gay marriage o...

Same-Sex Destination Wedding Boom

2010-11-02T12:59:54Z

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Vermont Gay Marriage Hearing Opens

2010-04-16T16:00:28Z

A week-long hearing on gay marriage opens in Vermont

Gay marriage opponents swarmed the Vermont capitol on Monday as a Senate committee hearing studying the issue got underway, reports 'The Associated Press'.

A crowd of about 200 protesters wearing stickers that read “Marriage: A mother and father for every child” spilled out of the sta...

Vermont Gay Marriage Debate Begins

2010-06-26T01:47:18Z

Vermont's gay marriage debate begins, ahead of Monday's Senate hearing

Stakeholders in the fight for gay marriage in Vermont are preparing for the heated debate ahead. That debate begins Monday, when a Senate committee hearing studying the issue gets underway. But the battle in the court of public opinion is already underway in the first state to offer civil unions for gay and lesbian couples in 2000.

It star...

Vermont Lawmakers Say Gay Marriage Is Coming

2010-06-26T01:52:14Z

Vermont legislative leaders say they are ready to pass a gay marriage bill

At a press event in Montpelier Thursday, Vermont legislative leaders said they were eager to approve gay marriage in the first state to offer civil unions for gay and lesbian couples in 2000, reports 'The...

Hawaii House Passes Gay Civil Unions

2010-06-26T00:21:48Z

The Hawaii House has passed civil unions for gay couples; the measure moves to the Senate

After just 25 minutes of debate, the Hawaii House approved legislation that would create civil unions for gay and lesbian couples in the state, the Honolulu-based Fox affiliate KHON is reporting.

House Bill 444 was approved by a vote of 33-17. It would grant gay couples all the rights, benefits and responsibilities o...

Vermont moves closer to legalizing gay marriage

2010-06-26T00:35:14Z

Vermont, 1st state to permit civil unions, marches ahead with measure to legalize gay marriage

Nine years after becoming the first state to permit civil unions, Vermont moved a step toward legalizing gay marriage Friday.

A bill that would allow same-sex unions was introduced in the Legislature, causing a crowd of about several hundred supporters to gather at the Statehouse in celebration.

"This really is a ...

Gay Marriage Bill Introduced In Vermont

2010-04-16T14:47:11Z

Lawmakers in Vermont introduce a gay marriage bill

Lawmakers in Vermont have introduced a gay marriage bill.

The bill is sponsored by Representatives Mark Larson (Democrat) and David Zuckerman (Progressive), both from Burlingt...

Legislators Rush To The Gay Marriage Altar

2010-06-26T02:44:59Z

Lawmakers introduce gay and lesbian union legislation throughout the U.S.

It's not even Valentine's Day and legislators across America are talking about gay love, literally.

Common wisdom would suggest that after losing gay marriage fights in three states on November 4 lawmakers would shy away from the subject. In fact, the opposit...

Vermont legislator plans push for gay marriage

2010-06-26T00:05:40Z

Vermont legislator plans to push for gay marriage in state that first OK'd civil unions

A Vermont legislator plans to introduce a bill to allow gay marriage in the state that first approved civil unions for same-sex couples.

State Sen. John Campbell, a Democrat, says he will sponsor the bill in the legislative session beginning in January. He acknowledges ...

Summer tourism was strong and fall looks healthy

2010-10-27T14:45:04Z

With a shaky national economy, high gas prices and a very wet summer, Vermont could have found itself with a dismal summer tourist season, but that does not seem to be the case.

A surging Canadian dollar, the desire by Americans regardless of the economy to have a vacation, albeit one closer to home, and Vermont's overall tourist allure kept the numbers relatively high. Add a...

The Civil Union Chickens Have Come Home to Roost

2010-10-23T19:06:10Z

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Virginia Supreme Court to Weigh in on Lesbian Couple's Custody Battle

2010-10-23T10:00:18Z

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Same-Sex Marriage: Garden State’s Highest Court Approves Rights for Gay Couples

2010-09-10T15:45:25Z

The New Jersey Supreme Court made news yesterday when it handed down a significant ruling in the ongoing debate over same-sex marriage. While the court’s 4-3 decision moved New Jersey closer to the handful of states that legalize same-sex unions, a recent Rasmussen Reports

Gay Couples Have Marriage Benefits in New Jersey

2010-10-15T09:42:25Z

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Hungry in Vermont

2010-11-28T16:02:01Z

In this photo taken Nov. 18, 2010, bags with makings of a Thanksgiving dinner wait for pick up in Enosburg Falls, Vt. A new USDA report on hunger finds that Vermont and Alabama have had the highest in...

VA Doctor's Ordeal

2010-11-14T05:01:19Z

In this photo taken Friday Nov. 12, 2010 Dr. William Weeks sits in his office in Lebanon, N.H. A respected psychiatrist and expert on rural health care for veterans, he was accused of violating conflict-of-interest provisions in his work at a Veterans Administration hospital in

Vermont Governor

2010-11-01T15:01:52Z

Vice President Joe Biden, left, campaigns for Vermont Democratic gubernatorial candidate Peter Shumlin, right, Monday, Nov. 1, 2010, in Burlington, Vt.(AP Photo/Toby Talbot)

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Maple Syrup Flap

2010-09-28T14:30:33Z

FILE - In this Sept. 9, 2010 file photo, a jug of Log Cabin syrup is seen in Montpelier, Vt. Under fire from maple syrup country, Log Cabin All Natural Syrup's makers say they're taking caramel coloring out of it. Pinnacle Foods said Tuesday it's changing the ingredients to assuage concerns raised by maple syrup makers in

Cows Vandalized

2010-07-28T10:30:38Z

This July 5, 2010 photo provided by the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce, shows the base of a statue - all that remains of a vandalized cow statue in Burlington, Vt. A community art project that installed 37 fiberglass cows in and around Vermont's biggest city has been plagued by vandalism. Four men have been ...