Republicans Don’t get that “Equal Protection” Thing, Lose Again on Gay Marriage.

With such overwhelmingly strong support from Vermont’s elected lawmakers, it’s hard to imagine why Republican Gov. Jim Douglas would use his veto power against the public will and support of gay marriage. Proving once again Republicans don’t get public sentiment or understand the constitution, that veto didn’t last long. Reuters:

Vermont lawmakers on Tuesday overrode a veto from the governor in passing a bill that would allow same-sex marriage, clearing the way for the state to become the fourth in the nation where gay marriage is legal. The Vermont House of Representatives passed the bill by a 100-49 vote after it cleared the state Senate 23-5 earlier in the day.

Vermont, which became the first state in the country to allow full civil unions for
same-sex couples in 2000, joins New England neighbors Connecticut and Massachusetts in allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry. Lawmakers in New
Hampshire and Maine are also considering bills to allow gay marriage. (They already offer same-sex couples some form of legal recognition.

Forty-three U.S. states have laws explicitly prohibiting such marriages, including 29 with constitutional amendments restricting marriage to one man and one woman.