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Historic Legalization of 'Civil Unions' Court-Ordered Recognition of Same-Sex Couplings Passes 76-69 Confers Most Benefits and Burdens of a Conventional Marriage |
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Compiled by GayToday
The Vermont Senate is expected to follow with majority support for the new bill. Governor Howard Dean, a Democrat, is supportive of the legislation. Gay and lesbian marriage advocates are already touting a new slogan: "Want to get married? Get engaged." While Vermont's lawmakers voted, supporters and opponents of "civil unions" crowded the premises. Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund representatives present expressed satisfaction with the development, portraying it as setting a moral and legislative example for the nation.
Attorney Susan Murray said: "It totally depends on what state laws say in that other state and what courts would interpret in that other state…Other states have structures called marriage that they already recognize. They don't have structures called civil unions.'' Drawbacks for partners dissatisfied with their unions lie in that any break up would necessitate Family Court "dissolution'' proceedings just as married couples must attend when initiating divorce. They would also assume each other's debts as married couples must do. |
Montpelier, Vermont—"Civil Unions"-- conferring on same-sex couples 300 of the
primary benefits (and drawbacks) of legalized marriages-- were approved Thursday
night by the Vermont House with a vote of 76-69.
