The Vermont legislature has legalised same sex marriage, becoming the first state to do so by legislation rather than court action. The bill was actually passed last week, but vetoed by Republican Governor Jim Douglas. Today's vote narrowly overturns the veto, and the law will come into effect from September 1.
This is part of a broader push for same-sex marriage across New England, with the aim of having it recognised in all six New England states by 2012. So far they're halfway there, and there are bills progressing in New Hampshire and Maine (Rhode Island has a strong Republican governor, and so will be waiting a little longer). The question is how long it will take the rest of the US to overcome its bigotry...
