Vermont lawmakers legalize gay marriage
By David Abel, Globe Staff
MONTPELIER, Vt. – The roll call came to the end and Jeff Young, a gardener and freshman Democrat, switched his vote.
His simple “yes” tipped the balance today in the state House of Representatives, making Vermont the fourth state in the country to legalize marriage between same-sex couples.
Young’s move ensured that lawmakers had 100 votes – the minimum needed in the heavily Democratic 150-member legislature to override Monday’s veto by Governor Jim Douglas. The House’s 100-49 vote came about an hour after the state Senate voted 23-5 to override the Republican governor. The new law takes effect on Sept. 1.
The final vote sparked loud cheers in the packed chambers of the State House.
“I’m thrilled, and I’m proud of Vermont, for what we did, and how we conducted this conversation,” said Beth Robinson, chair of the Vermont Freedom To Marry Task Force, which lobbied lawmakers for years for such a law.
Vermont, which became the first state to legalize civil unions for same-sex couples in 2000, now joins Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Iowa in allowing gays and lesbians the right to marry. But the courts changed the laws in those states.
Representative Joseph Krawczyk, a Republican from Bennington who voted against the override, said he hopes the new law inspires residents to vote out many of those who supported it. A majority of new lawmakers could vote to repeal the law, unlike in those states where courts changed the law.
“They’re going to have to live with the consequences,” he said. “This does not reflect the true values of Vermonters. It does not reflect my values nor does it reflect those of my constituents.”
A random sampling of citizens found some ambivalence about the development.
Donna Gaulin, 37, of Brookfield, said she hopes the new law would be a boon to Vermont’s economy. ‘‘If more people are going to come here to get married, that could bring a lot of money to the state,’’ she said. ‘‘Anything that would improve our economy is a good thing. We don’t judge people.’’
David Goldstein, 43, of Montpelier, who is unemployed, said he would have preferred that the Legislature focused more on the economy. ‘‘I don’t have a problem with this, but there are a lot of other priorities,’’ he said.
Leslie Haines, 65, of Worcester, Vt., called the Legislature’s vote, ‘‘very positive. I believe equal opportunity is everyone’s right. I think we realize that with this vote,’’ she said.
In an interview in his office, House Speaker Shap Smith said he was confident he had the votes before the roll call. He denied applying pressure or offering incentives to persuade several lawmakers to reverse themselves from last week’s vote, in which only 95 of them supported the same-sex marriage bill.
In the past week, Young said he had received about 3,000 e-mails and hundreds of calls from people trying to win his support. He described his initial vote against same-sex marriage as a “gut decision,” because he thought the bill “wasn’t family friendly.”
But when he realized how much his vote -- which was among the last -- would count, he said he thought, “Maybe this was the time to step to the plate.”
Democrats here control 102 of the 150 seats in the House and 23 of the Senate’s 30 seats. The vote passed in the House with help of six Republicans.
Senator Bill Doyle, a Republican from Washington County who supported the same-sex marriage bill, in the end voted against it.
“I didn’t want to override my governor,” he said. “But I think it’s good that this is over. Now we can go on to other issues.”
The campaign to legalize marriage for same-sex couples was jump-started in Massachusetts, where the Supreme Judicial Court ruled in 2004 that it was necessary to fulfill the equal-protection clause in the state Constitution. A similar judicial decision followed last year in Connecticut. Iowa’s Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage last week.
In Vermont today, Bill Lippert, an openly gay Democrat who serves as the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said he was “deeply touched” by the vote.
“This will have a profound effect on gay and lesbian Vermonters, and our family and friends,” he said. “But this is really a triumph of people who care about our well-being.”
David Abel can be reached at dabel@globe.com.
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I think it's excellent that Vermonters has passed this bill. Same-sex marriage shouldn't have been such a huge issue, and I'm glad this is all over. Now we can move on to more pressing issues, like the economy. Congratulations Vermont!
AMEN!!! State by state, the citizens of this country will bring civil rights to all. I am so proud of my fellow New England states. 3 down - 3 to go and so on throughout the rest of the country.
Bravo!
Awesome!
It is about time that the state are finally giving equal rights to all and not just a few.
Vermont voters, through their representatives, again show that they do not wish the State to discriminate against an individual's lifestyle choices. Vermont believes in freedom and unity. I wish you well.
Steven Seltzer
the dominoes have started to fall only a matter of time before this whole thing is behind us. good for you vermont. i can't wait till the next CA election, I have a feeling that the last vote for yes on 8 will be overturned.
Hey the ncaa championship game in hockey is between unniversity of vermont and boston u.. Both schools are from states that allow gay marriage' Another fiirst.
Aint it funny that only pedophile priests, frustrated nuns and homosexuals want to get married?
We are witnessing the fall of the rule of democracy in this country… libs lobby for their rights with threats and bribes and manage to avoid asking the majority if that is the way this country should go. They IMPOSE their beliefs on others… only because they have the money to corrupt ‘corruptible’ politicians in the name of tolerance.
What if tomorrow polygamists, pedophiles, zoophiles, rapists start to use the exact same tactic??? WHERE IS THE TOLERANCE? These are minorities whose rights are being unjustly inhibited by some ‘Christian fundamentalists’ law’… any person with common sense can see that at least there is no difference between polygamy and homosexuality...
Oh but they have proven (LOL) that homosexuality is natural… like the color of the skin… SAYS WHO?... if that is so, how come homosexuality is natural and pedophilia is not? Its all fuzzy logic. How about those who have sex with animals or objects? Do they have rights? Remember the woman and the monkey in New Hampshire?
How have we come to this? Who dictates if homosexuality is right or wrong? Science? Psychology? Whoever it is, they are acting just like the Vatican which we love so much. Dogmatic truth. Homosexuality is good. Pedophilia is bad. SAYS WHO?
This country was founded in freedom and we ‘the people’ choose those freedoms whether the minorities like it or not. You live among us and not viceversa. If you do not like this country try to change it through the public discourse, through civil dialogue, NOT BY RAPING THE CONSTITUTION AND THE FOUNDING FATHERS and FORCE FEED US YOUR MORALITY.
The funny thing is that if you ask them to practice celibacy they reply infuriated: “If YOU wish to practice celibacy, go ahead. But do not demand it from everyone else!”
How hypocritical… Tipical liberal contradiction. They are dogmatically imposing their ‘crooked’ moral by raping the laws and the rule of the people. They are bypassing the due process and effectively rendering the constitution sterile… and they criticize anyone who asks of them to be tolerant with the majority. The politicians, too corrupt, uneducated, cowardly go with the flow for fear of the wrath of the libs and their antics, character assassination, public defamation, etc…
What is the difference between the Dogmatic catholic church and this arbitrary "dogmatic" ruling that is passed without a popular vote??? NONE... both JAM their beliefs upon a population who are treated as cattle and it is a criminal approach at brain washing a whole generation, subjecting it to a moral imperative that is shared by the FEW and imposed on the MANY.
can anyone say: DICTATORSHIP of RELATIVISM?
Does that mean I can Marry my brother ??
My Dog ??
I think those Pilgrems have lost it !!
I will be canceling all future vacation plans in Vermont!
Final headline from the defunct Boston Globe, "Vermont Legislature Declares 'Dog' now is called 'Cat': Lawmakers urge thinking population to 'play along'"
What a complete insult to common sense, common decency, and thousands of years of marriage.
All I have to say is "God Help Us" a nation who turns against God will be turned into hell.I am so sorry for these people ,God didn't make Adam @ Steve,He made Adam @ Eve. NOW lets see two men or two wemon bring forth a child:_( My, Lord what had our country gone to? The dogs! And this OBAMA guy whom everyone seems to worhsip,be very careful,one day this message will prove to come back and haunt you. Mark it down: Every person who has had anything to do with this SiCK ungodly act will answer to God. These poor people think God's going to wink at their sin is wrong,He loves them,Yes, but the sin He hates and it will not enter into heaven for no sin will be there .
whats next? pedophiles to marry little children? sick, and disgusting!
Good for Vermont. Good for common sense. Good for marriage. :)
I am thinking of asking my sister to marry me. Can I do that here or do I have to move to Vermont?
^ I'm glad all of these inbred Jesus freaks had their views invalidated by law.
You know, I find it funny that "REV. Barbara Wilson" is clamoring about how un-biblical this is. Hey, Barb: your lovely Bible says that women can't be ministers.
Oops.
America is gradually catching up to the free world !
Fine by me, I will never go there.
A great day for equality!
Okay, slow down.
A. When has a gay person said YOU were going to hell for your proliferation of hate and legacy of rejection and persecution you spread????
B. Were you one of the people against interracial marriage...cause your comment will make more sense, since there was a time when that was "a complete insult to common sense, common decency and thousands of years of marriage" too.
C. How is that sweet, monogamous couple on the corner...hurting your marriage???
D. God loves me. He made me this way, so i feel like he'll take me back into heaven come time. (which considering your comments, might be soon when someone attacks me. how very christian of them)
E. being gay...doesn't make you suddenly an animal or an inanimate object. it is a HUMAN marrying a HUMAN. They are both consenting. so pedophilia can't be legal, since a child is not allowed to consent until 18. You need to get your head out of the clouds, look past your predjudices and see...humans, people, just like you, who don't want to be alone forever or lie to someone, "just deal" for the rest of their lives.
I wish...you would stop and see how much your hatred hurts those you push it upon, how much damage it is doing to an entire generation.
Does the Lord need to apologize to the antediluvians? How about the Sodomites? Do you suppose He'll overlook our nation? Not a chance. Get ready!
I'd rather be a Jesus freak than anything else. If Christ is my role model, I'm in good hands. Thanks for the compliment!
LayBostonian, Dave Dike, William, Justin and Rev. Barbara Wilson; if you do not like it, pack your bags and MOVE OUT of this country. It's a democracy. Marriage is not a privilege, it's a right - and will be a right for all citizens. Church and state WILL and SHALL remain separate.
Why must I have your beliefs and religion stuffed down my throat? Rev. Barbara Wilson, you WILL answer to GOD too, just as I will answer to my GOD. Living in the United States does not mean I have to listen to you or your made up religion or GOD. If you don't like it, LEAVE! Bye-bye!!
Stop co-copting words to suit your agenda. For centuries if not millenia, marriage has meant the union of a man and woman. You have no right to attempt to change the meaning of marriage. Find your own word to describe what you do.
Hey, can I marry three people now? What about marrying children? If your stupid retort is "Because there's a law against that", then please explain why you an activist judge or legislature couldn't just change the law and make it legal? Calling homosexual unions "marriage" is such a vulgarization of the word "marriage" it's disgusting to even link the two in thought, let alone law.
Let's call "cows" "donkeys" and try to get enough grinning idiots to flame these comments explaining how "normal" and "progressive" that would be.
Liberalism: asking people to ignore common sense, history, and biology for the sake of being seen as "cool".
I love that all of those who are spouting their homophobic beliefs have many spelling and grammatical errors. Ah, intelligence.
And to you, Mr. Laybostonian, you rant about the fall of democracy, but I do believe this article is about a law passed via the democratic process. Have I missed something?
You not only said we should change our policies "through civil dialogue, NOT BY RAPING THE CONSTITUTION AND THE FOUNDING FATHERS" (woah, you are so civil, mr. capslock!)
And finally, you claim we are all trying to "FORCE FEED US YOUR MORALITY," but you seem to be the only one who is trying to change anyone's opinion. Good for you, you are successfully ignorant!
p.s. You don't have to marry a man just because it happens to be legal, so if all gays are to burn in hell, there will be more room in heaven for you and your bigoted, racist, and otherwise unintelligent bible thumping friends.
I love how all the "marriage traditionalists" go to the hot button of "OMG DUZ THIS MEANS THE PEDOPHILIA IS LEGAL NOW TOO" while ignoring the fact that virtually every CHRISTIAN society up until the past 150 or so years had no problem marrying underage females off in what was essentially prostitution (ever heard of a dowry?).
Bravo Vermont! Time to schedule vacations to Vermont. Time to make every gift one "made in Vermont." This is a wonderful day for humanity. For kindness. For justice. For good. Thank you, Vermont, for again paving the way forward for our nation.
Now I can finally drop my lousy medicare coverage- saving hundreds of dollars a MONTH-- and can finally be covered by my partners health insurance policy (8 yrs. together- I should mention) Also- my vermont taxes will be simpler-- AND--> not have to explain my civil union 'thingy' to those who do not understand extensive laws... If this is a sin---> then perhaps one should consider that this is a blessing-- that I am equal.
Regards--- > a full citizen in my lovely state of vermont. :o)
......to all the Bible' folk......none of us know if or what (if there is a god)...thinks...
if there is a god and when we all get there (the end and meet him) Im sure then we all will find out if it's "right or wrong" and if he approves or not
..but in the meantime live and let live until then...it's not for anyone to tell anyone how they should live their life.............
To LayBostonian:
I'm sorry the liberals forced their beliefs onto you, but I hope you are able to make the most of the same-sex marriage they are now forcing you to get.
Honestly, I don't see why the legislators of Vermont felt the need to start oppressing their conservative constituents by letting people they don't like and probably don't know get married.
Clearly if anyone deserves to have a monopoly on the imposition of beliefs, its the conservative Christians. After all, they are only following the example of Jesus Christ, who as we all know settled down with his wife and kids rather than travel around in the Middle East with a bunch of close friends of the same sex. I mean, you carry on with behavior like that, and who knows who might steal a smooch from you in a garden when you're not looking. And we all know how that story would end!
As a native Vermonter, and a supporter of equal rights for ALL citizens, I am appalled at some of the bigotry and ignorance that is still alive in 2009. To the people stating how they will never come to Vermont because of this passage, I and probably a majority of true Vermonters could care less, seeing how you probably just realized it was a state in the Union, and not part of Canada anyhow. What a world this is to live in when you are not religious! Some of you people must have zero clue at how stupid you sound. Get out of the dark ages! What is your deal? Live and let live! Read your bible in peace, and let everyone else go about their business.
This just made my day! As much as your self-image should not drive your views -- actually, it's insecurity and lack of love that do -- you DO realize that all you proponents of inequality will be looked upon in history like proponents of slavery and opponents of womens' rights. Harsh, but true!
Oh Justin, you're nothing like Christ, nor do you follow his path. Christ
was wise, forgiving, intelligent, and kind. To repeat, you're nothing
like him...
An earlier "idiotic" poster commented how libs were jamming there values down everyones throats, yada, yada....
Frankly that is the STUPIDEST thing I have ever heard. Quite the contrary, it is conservative minded folks that are most interested in dictating how the rest of us run our lives....(abortion, stem cell research, internet gambling...should I go on).
God loves me and loves my husband. He blesses my same sex marriage. BUT What is a true miracle is that He also loves those hate mongoring fools who misuse his Name. Try being Chistlike and love one another dont be so full of venom and hate.
1 Corinthians 9:9-10
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes NOR HOMOSEXUAL OFFENDERS nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
The slippery slope is getting steeper. What is Vermont's ultimate plan? To ridicule marriage so it no longer exists? Down with family and the core of civilization. The polygamous are next, then the "government out of marriage" group to make it illegal. Finally, the groups after the church to force gay marriage or destroy it for ever. In the meantime.....
Ski California, Ski Nevada, Ski, Utah, Ski Canada!!!
Mary, First I want you to tell me why you suddenly think that interracial marriage among heterosexuals is somehow compared to gay 'marriage'? They have NOTHING in common. How did gay marriage ever get past the common sense argument?
And must I tolerate your deviant lifestyle to be seen as "cool" in your eyes.
Sorry, I care about common sense, history, morality, and religious teachings alot more than what you or some queer thinks.
If you are Christian, you are to strive to be as Jesus was - do you think Jesus would be slinging the many hateful words written here? Nope, don't think so; he'd be loving everyone with all the things that make them beautiful and imperfect.
Thank you Mary for your very succinct response. I concur.
Marriage is one man and one woman period no matter what activists say or do.
God bless Vermont.
It's so lovely to see all the people selectively following the teachings of the Bible and following Jesus' example of hatred for those different. It's very inspiring.
I'm glad for this law. Homosexuals marrying won't hurt your marriage any more than homosexuals turned you gay. The representatives of the people did their job. Maybe it will be overturned by a future legislature, and the courts will have to decide if a group of people have the right to marry any competent adult they want to. I'm sorry for all those who are mired in hatred of those they mistakenly believe are evil.
Hmm.. you know the only kind of marriage that should be illegal? MARRIAGE TO DOCTRINE. The evidence of that useless union is pretty evident here in a lot of these comments. I can't believe the hexes that are being thrown around... why introduce such hate into words? Don't you know the internet never forgets? lol
Anyway, I'm a queer Vermonter, and honestly, when our governor vetoed the bill yesterday he was fighting no less than the laws of thermodynamics. People are waking up to the imperative for basic human rights... this is just cultural equilibrium being reached. It's really no big deal. Some person was ranting about "liberal morality" earlier... Dude.. there IS no moral algorithm. I'm looking at history.. and, um.. I don't see one. I see tendencies in nature, and that's about it. Everything is process - if you study nature you will be schooled with the wisdom of all humanity's scripture - you will realize there is uncertainty and complexity and re-invention and re-creation of systems going on everywhere - we have to be brave enough to do as nature does and engage in continual re-assessment and ground-up action. It's called democracy. And it happened today in Vermont.
Honestly, I'm so glad this doesn't have to be dragged out. The same arguement Douglas et al. use for not legalizing gay marriage ("there are more important issues..") is the same reason for why it should be legal. Let's all get on with our lives.
The greatest thing this vote represents is the transformation of a State where Separate was Equal to the realization that Separate is not Equal. This is a civil rights issue. Not a religious observance one.
And the Legislature of Vermont was so very right to override the hate veto of Governor Jim Douglas.
If your religion or your personal preference is not to marry someone of the same gender - then don't enter into a same gender civil marriage. No one is mandating that you do. Nor should no one deny the ability of same gender couples to enter into civil marriage.
Whatever your religious observation is - it is just that a religious observation. Marriage is a civil right. Two separate water fountains or two separate bathrooms were not equal. Nor is the imposition of your own religious views on the general civil rights of another.
Dab
Yeah! I am celebrating this great day for our country! And I will pray for all those who left negative comments. Let the light of justice illuminate the truth for all those who can not see!
I laugh at all these bible thumpers. Did the world come to an end when gay marriage was legalized in Massachusetts? How were there lives affected when a gay/lesbian couple got married down the street? I love the comment from people who say they won't go to Vermont know that there is gay marriage but probably live in Massachusetts where gay marriage was here first yet they did not flee the state. I guess the switch from civil unions to gay marriage is too much for them. I love how all these holier than now people forgot "love thy neighbor" Hatred, prejudice, racism, sexism, and homophobia are alive and well in the 21st century.
The absolute perversion of what Christ's love is here astounds me. The bible repeats over and over and over that we should not judge, that the judgement is for the Lord only. We have not the right to judge others lives. We are all sinners here on this earth, and to pretend that it is otherwise is a lie. We do not get to decide who and what the Lord will forgive. All we can do is to love everyone no matter what. It is pure hubris to pretend that we know what the Lord truly wants, yes we can pray and receive messages from Him, and we can read the bible which offers much guidance.
Do people really believe that they can judge whether one persons love is greater than another? The bible tells us that love is selfless, it is good and worthwhile and it ultimately is when we care more for the other than for ourselves. Just because we do not have it in our lives and we are not sure we are capable of it does not mean that others are not capable of it.
Lord, I pray that you forgive us all of our sins and that you take judgement away from us all.
Wait. Im so confused. There seem to be so many people saying how marrying children, incest, and polygamy will all be legal now. But if we were to go back to the "historic definition of marriage" which has been around for "thousands of years" wouldnt all three of those things be legal anyways?
Marriage is one man and as many women he can enslave and conquer and nothing else no matter what these monogamy activists say in their attempts to destroy the historical definition of marriage.
Hee hee hee. I love that the strongest argument that the homophobes have got is probably the one that marriage cannot be redefined, when in fact we have redefined it time and time again-- until very recently in terms of human history, marriage in the U.S. was between one man and one or up to several women, and then after that between one man and one woman of the same race. Many other civilizations still have these practices. Marriage has never been exclusively one man and one woman; if these fundies bothered to learn anything about the history of our nation and the human race at large that is outside of their tiny bubble of comfort and security, they would realize that. I don't support polygamy or anything like that, but its mere existence in our recent history is enough to make this whole argument-- that gay marriage is unacceptable because we can't redefine an already elastic concept-- laughable. Thank you Vermont-- and Iowa, as of the other day-- for showing the rest of this nation the way forward.
Jeff McNeal,
Gay marriage is legal in Canada, too. And prostitution is legal in Nevada. You're running out of places to ski.
As for the arguments for "common sense" and "history," I fail to see how falling back on any supposed principle as concrete instead of a catalyst for debate and policy formation amounts to anything constructive. It is restrictive, and anti-democratic.
All I can see here is that marriage is being amended to define the union between TWO CONSENTING ADULTS (dictated by age which varies by state law). Sure, polygamists, pedophiles, and animal lovers could try to bring a case to the state for discourse, but I fail to see how marriage including same sex unions sets any precedent at all in those cases. Your logic is flawed, and your points unfounded because they try to bridge two distinctly different things: consenting adult practice (limited to two) and currently illegal practice. The argument of civil union vs. marriage is an issue of division; the time has come to affirm the rights of all under an unanimous umbrella, not categorize based solely on the comfort of "histories." For those who are quoting Scripture (of any kind) you might as well be quoting words from an airline safety pamphlet, because they both hold the same weight in state affairs.
Hey funny that Jesus never actually said anything about gay people himself, eh? All those years of preaching and he never gave the slightest hint.. He DID say a few things about judging others though..!
Really think Jesus would be writing anonymous comments on Boston.com, complete with spelling and grammatical errors, condemning gays?
Idiot bible thumpers don't even follow your own religion. You people wouldn't know Jesus if you ran into him in the supermarket. You use a few passages in Leviticus to justify your bigotry (but conveniently ignore all the dietary laws and pro-slavery ranting in exactly the same passages). You spend your lives condemning everyone around you so that you never have to face your own inadequacies. If even HALF the stuff in the New Testament is true, you're all hopelessly doomed. You aren't the Apostles. You are the Pharisees.
Personally I don't support gay marriage. I think that a civil union is sufficient. Going beyond that is changing one of the fundamental institutions of our society into something its not.
Having said that, the real issue for me isn't whether or not I agree with it. What troubles me is that this issue should come to a popular vote and not simply be put upon the population at large regardless of majority wishes. Would gay marriage be legalized by popular referendum? I could be wrong but I am doubting it. I think it is unfortunate that the gay rights movement has joined the long list of special interest groups that act on behalf of their own agenda regardless of the will of the people. That is not what democracy is supposed to be about.
The Bible does not mandate marriage as between one man and one woman - those who claim so are either liars, or totally ignorant of its contents. Jacob, Abraham, David, Solomon - one man and up to 1000 women is what the Bible says constitutes "marriage." Read your Bibles instead of thumping them, you might be a little surprised at what's in them. I had four years of theo and church history at a monastic college, and taught religion myself - until I couldn't lie to students any more.
And the Bible says nothing against pedophilia, either - the idea of minor girls being too young to marry is a modern, secular-humanist invention.
The Bible also says that women should marry their rapists, that widows must marry their brothers-in-law, and that divorce should be illegal - how many "Christians" do you hear ranting that the state should forbid the remarriage of divorcees like the Reagans, though?
So you can have your "Biblical marriage" - we don't want your abusive patriarchal polygamy!
Pedophilia, dogs, cats, what is wrong with you people! There are two concenting adults who are competant at the time of signing a legal document.
As a neurobiologist is is psychologically proven the brain acts differently for gay and straight people, with different chemical levels as well as different amounts of estrogen or testosterone being released. It is not better or worse than a straight person as stated in the DSM IV.
All I see is people spitting out there biggoted opinions with no facts...welcome to the real world, read another book besides the bible.
And don't even let me get started on seperation of church and state.
YAY VERMONT! Hopefully the rest of the country will follow suit.
Once again, Vermont shows itself to be an open, progressive state that believes in equality for all! We are proud of Vermont and will bring our family there to spend our $$!!! Thank you, Vermont!
ok i just have to get this out to all of you people being rude and ignorant about this whole situation are ridiculous. People have different beliefs you dont have to push anything on anybody. Good for you for having God as the person you look up to. But you know what my mother decided she didnt want a man and she is no different then she was when she had a husband. And most of the guys now a days are a piece of crap. And probably of the guys that are like that are on this page so all have to say is keep your rude ignorant comments to yourself. No one wants to hear them and to al those people that said they wouldnt go to vermont now i bet you they wouldnt want you there anyways so who cares. GOOD FOR YOU VERMONT !!!!!!!!!!!
I am not Homophobic in any way nor am I religious in the terms that people so wish to use. I am a conservative. Meaning I wish for smaller and less intrusive government.
I have very close friends that are gay as well as clients that are also. I have finally gotten them to see how intolerant they have been and they understand this argument.
Gays are being INTOLERANT not the people wanting to keep marriage between a man and a woman. The rite of marriage has been what it has been for thousands of years and it is intolerant to want to try and force a change to this religious rite.
I have absolutely NO problem with gays couples having the same rights as any other couple and think that the state should allow such unions. HOWEVER, it is completely intolerant of the gay community to want to FORCE their views on others who wish to keep marriage between a man and a woman.
Call the union what ever you want besides marraige but please stop trying to force your agenda on people and religions who have had their faiths for thousands of years. Try and be tolerant of their views.
To all who comment here with their hate filed (lacking any common sense)comments: My God is a loving God. He will forgive you for trying to teach His children to hate one another....IF you repent and change your ways. God created me as I am for who I am. He loves me as He created me! I forgive you each, for you obviously you do NOT understand God's teachings re; Love one another. Also, IF you feel so threatened by me Marrying my life partner, perhaps your marriage is NOT very stable. We will pray for you that you may truely find the peace we live each day through God, while loving and living God's words!
As a Christian:
I am not to judge others.
I am to love all people.
I have a responsibility to lead others by the TRUTH of the WORD. (The WORD becoming flesh in JESUS CHRIST)
Part of showing love to others is to restore one that be overtaken in a fault in the spirit of meekness. JESUS taught repentence from the very beginning of his ministry. Homosexual Christians need to recognize that their lifestyle is sinful and repent - to turn away from sin. If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.
Homosexual Chrisians that are led to believe that their lifestyle is not sinful, are being misled by false teachers.
Not all Homosexuals are Christians, Phil and Jesus didn't sign the Constitution.
The idea that homosexuality is on par with pedophilia or bestiality is completely and utterly absurd!!! It is not "because I said so" or any thing like that, it is common sense!! If two fully functioning capable adults wish to marry that should be ok, they are both of sound mind, consenting adults who are capable of understanding what is going on and aware of what the decision they are making means. With children and animals they do not have legal adult status, they are unaware of what is going on, there is a power imbalance, someone is taking advantage of the other. There is also no decision being made, or at least not an educated one,
Temulin,
I wouldn't expect non-Christian homosexuals to recognize their choice as a sin. I can only pray that ALL people will come to the saving grace and knowledge of our LORD and SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST.
Praying for u!
We actually have a 4th state to uphold a equality right, and a civil right, only 46 more to go come on America i know we can do it just like are founding fathers stood for LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL
Yes, the dominos r falling. If u dnt like gay marriage then marry the opposite sex. The judges are in place to protect the rights of a MINORITY when their rights are being trampled on by the MAJORITY. And for all u hypocritical bible thumpers out there. Is my sin any greater than urs in Gods eyes? O yea...What about the greatest commandment according to jesus? I believe it was LOVE. Ou love is done thru God, just as he allowed Peter to kill and eat unclean animals. It was done thru HIM. So you hypocritical sinners with all ur failed marriages stay angry, it will only comsume YOU. You cant tell me jack about our relationship with god :)
This is a beautiful epiphany.
we can freely love eachother.
we've come late, but we've arrived.
it's sad that to many this is considered early since Vermont is only the fourth state to be enlightened, but we all pray to our own gods.
neither sides are inflicting force on the other,
the point of this is freedom, the option to live, not the requirement.
pedophelia? why is this a topic of relation? it's irrelevent to love.
Woohoo GO VERMONT!
Much love from a Canuck--and yep, you're right, we've had gay marriage up here for four or five years and society hasn't collapsed yet. :D
Hooray for the early adopters! :))
why are all of the republicans so against it? Two men or two women marrying each other wont physicaly, mentaly or emotionaly hurt any one or anything owned by any one. it can't me a moral problem, because even if it was a choise to be gay (which it isn't), our constitution doesn't allow descrimination. it can't be a religious problem because we are a secular country which supports no religion and no religious qualifications are needed for a government job, and if it were a religious problem, the only anti-gay phrase in the bible is against sodomy, which can happen as long as a man is in the mix, not just two men, and that doesn't say anything about lesbian couples, and the fourteenth amendment allows consentual sexuality between two adults in private. And the phrase in the bible and by law that says marrige is between a man and a woman, is pro hertosexuality, not anti homosexuality. So there really isn't a reason for these republicans to be against gay marrige.
This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.
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