Number 4 : VERMONT

Vermont became the fourth state in the U.S. to guarantee marriage for all citizens. There are good links included below. One of them is a Boston Globe article that describes the politicking that got the deed done.

Key points:

• It came down to one vote. That vote belonged to Jeff Young, a freshman Democrat, who switched his vote.
• This is a legislative vote, not a judicial action as in the previous three states (MA, CT, IA). The vote potentially could be repealed at a later date.
• Marriage for all becomes law in Vermont on Sept. 1, 2009.
• Some believe that Vermont could benefit economically.
• This is the first override of a governor's veto in nineteen years in Vermont. The governor is Republican, but Democrats hold a supermajority in the State House and Senate. Gov. Douglas did not lobby for votes to sustain his veto, but emphasized that this should be a personal decision.

Boston Globe, "Vermont legislature overrides veto..."

Plus, this is a NYT article discussing a movement to have all of New England ensuring marriage equality by 2012. So far, so good. The next state to either support or deny marriage for all is New Hampshire on Wednesday, April 15, 2009. Same day that taxes are due.