Four Down, Forty-Six to Go
On Tuesday, Vermont became the fourth state in the US to legalize same-sex marriage. The really different thing this time is that Vermont is the first state to do it with a vote of the legislature.
A few days prior to the announcement, the Vermont legislature had voted to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples, but were four short of the number of votes needed to override a veto by the governor. Governor Jim Douglas vetoed the bill on Monday. On Tuesday, several House members switched sides to override the veto. Vermont has no mechanism for a voter referendum to overturn the vote of the legislature.
In addition to this, and on the same day, the D.C. Council voted 12 – 0 to recognize legally performed same-sex marriages from other states. Washington D.C has recognized domestic partnerships created in other states, but this is the first time that same-sex marriages have been recognized by the governing body of the nation’s capitol.
In New Hampshire, the issue of same-sex marriage rights has passed the House and is now awaiting action by the Senate. Maine and New Jersey are also currently arguing the question in their legislatures. Here in my home state of California, the state Supreme Court must issue its ruling on the constitutionality of Proposition 8 which banned same-sex marriage by early June.
This is already a significant year for proponents and supporters of marriage equality. My personal hope is that 2009 will become even more significant well before it’s over.
What is also significant is the statistics of age related prejudice. States might as well save themselves a small fortune in legal fees and appeals. The majority of the younger generation doesn’t give a rat’s behind of one’s preferences. It’s only the fossilized oldsters that makes this an issue. Vote it in now or in 10 years. This is going to happen. It’s only far right pundits that keep clinging to archaic arguments on the “traditional marriage” BS. How dare anyone deny the right of consenting adults to love one another!
I don’t think it’s just an age thing, Jennie. I’ve heard some of the most homophobic statements dropping from the mouths of people half my age who are old enough to vote. I’ve known people who have been fighting for the right to marry whom they love since I was in diapers. And, of course, I’ve known the opposite numbers for each group, as well.
What it comes down to is that big changes are scary. This is happening, and I don’t think it can be stopped. That makes me laugh and dance and want to shout from the rooftops for joy. There are others – both young and old – who see it as the downfall of their way of life and fear the change.
In the end, society can only move marginally faster than the slowest members in any major change. That’s why abolition and civil rights have been such long, bloody battles. That’s why twenty years after every state in the union recognizes same sex marriage, there will still be outbursts of opposition.
The important thing is that we keep inching toward equality for all, just as it’s promised in the founding documents of our nation.
And please, other countries that have already got this thing figured out, keep encouraging our leaders to move forward. We can use the support.
Sadly, because DC has some arcane rules, it’s possible that Congress will forbid our following through on our “Full Faith and Credit” to other states’ marriages, even though it’s required by the Constitution.
But yes, I’m proud of my City Council, and I really hope our decision will be allowed to stand.
I’ve been wanting to comment on this as well as on other posts, but haven’t been able to connect to any manolo-server since Easter. ö_Ö
Anyway, congrats to America. It’s heartwarming to see that equality is getting foothold over there on the other side of the big ocean as well. In my country it has never been a big issue that gay couples can marry. Then again, our government has distanced itself from the church a long time ago and so have the people; no one feels obliged to get married (living together no longer means you’re a “wolf couple”
) and no one I’ve heard of has ever felt their marriage diminished because others are allowed it too. But I bet even religious groups will have to give in and accept that times have changed. You’ll get there soon, I’m sure!
I’m gonna have to take some of those words back. Our government just voted on gay couples’ right to adopt and it seems there are always some jerks around with the comments about “will we be allowed to marry our pets next”. Just like there were in the nineties when they decided about the marrying. Never imagined a member of parliament saying that in 2009 but here we are. Luckily the law was passed with the support of a vast majority. And the general opinion in the media is that everyone should have equal rights. <3