Vermont is One Step Closer to Passing Gay Marriage Bill

The Vermont House is weighing a bill that would make same-sex marriage legal in the state. 

If the bill passes, Vermont, which was the first state to legalize same-sex civil unions, will also become the first state to legalize gay marriage without being forced to do so by the courts.

The House Judiciary Committee scheduled a hearing for Tuesday after the bill was passed on Monday by a Senate vote of 26-4.

Although lawmakers expect the House to pass the bill, it's unclear as to whether or not Republican Gov. Jim Douglas will veto the bill. According to Dennise Casey, spokeswoman for the governor, "Governor Douglas agrees with President Obama that marriage is between a man and a woman.  He supports Vermont's current civil union law, which provides equal rights, benefits, and responsibilities to Vermonters in civil unions."

Currently, Massachusetts and Connecticut are the only two states in the country that have legalized same-sex marriage. Vermont, New Hampshire, and New Jersey allow civil unions for gay and lesbian couples.

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