Vermont Ends Gay Couples’ Exclusion from Marriage

The Vermont legislature passed a bill ending the exclusion of gay couples from marriage with a 2/3 majority in each chamber, effectively overriding the Governor’s veto. Gay couples should be able to start applying for marriage licenses by September 1, 2009.

Following Iowa which had their Supreme Court rule to uphold the freedom to marry last Friday, Vermont becomes the fourth state to end the exclusion of gay couples from marriage.