House shouts yes to gay marriage
95-52 vote falls short of number needed to override expected Douglas veto
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Rep. Robert Helm, R-Castleton, offers an amendment to the same -sex marriage legislation that would have delayed the bill until a statewide referendum was taken, during proceedings in the House of Representatives in Montpelier on Thursday. Jeb Wallace-Brodeur / Times Argus |
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By DANIEL BARLOW VERMONT PRESS BUREAU - Published: April 3, 2009
MONTPELIER – The Vermont House voted 95-52 Thursday evening to approve a bill allowing same-sex couples in the state to marry.
The vote, which saw a majority of House Democrats joined by a handful of Republicans in supporting the bill, falls several votes short of the amount that would be needed to override an expected veto from Gov. James Douglas.
Thursday's five-hour floor debate began in the afternoon and extended into the evening as several openly gay and lesbian House members told their stories and urged their fellow lawmakers to support their bid for marriage rights.
"I want to be married legally and I'm asking for your permission to do that," said Rep. Jason Lorber, D-Burlington, during an emotional speech as he described details of his wedding ceremony with his partner. "I don't enjoy asking my co-workers for permission to marry the one I love."
Rep. Suzi Wizowaty, D-Burlington, said she feels sad for people who "must believe that sharing what you have will diminish your happiness." Rep. William Lippert, D-Hinesburg, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said civil unions were a "bold and courageous move, but now it is time for the next step."
Rep. Steve Howard, D-Rutland, said all the doomsday scenarios suggested nine years ago during the civil union debate never came to fruition. He joked that when gays and lesbians move into a neighborhood, the property values go up not because they are good landscapers, but because they are good neighbors.
"I didn't choose to be gay," Howard said. "God made me gay. And I wouldn't trade it for anything."
Weeks after the same-sex marriage bill began in the five-member Senate Judiciary Committee, it came to the end of the legislative road Thursday evening in a vote that saw members of all three parties – Democrats, Republicans and Progressives – voting in support.
But the battle is not over yet: The bill faces a final House vote today, where Republicans are expected to offer more amendments to defeat it, and a veto from Gov. James Douglas, who made the rare move last week to announce he would kill the bill before it even arrived on his desk.
Members of the Vermont Senate are expected to vote on amendments made to the bill in the House on Monday. Depending on when Douglas vetoes the bill, an override attempt could begin as early as Tuesday.
House Republicans made several attempts to kill the bill on the floor Thursday. The biggest push was a familiar one: Send the question to Vermont voters in the form of a nonbinding, statewide town meeting referendum.
Rep. Robert Helm, R-Fair Haven, said waiting a year to hear from Vermonters is only a temporary delay. House Minority Leader Rep. Patti Komline, R-Dorset, who voted for the same-sex marriage bill, said statewide referendums have been used in Vermont 30 times over the years on issues such as prohibition, women's rights and the lottery.
"They will make the right decision if you give them the chance," Komline said. "You have nothing to be afraid of in asking Vermonters how they feel."
Rep. Michael Mrowicki, D-Putney, said the rights of minorities should not be subject to the will of a majority.
"When I hear referendum, I think California," he said. "Watch the way that state has been doing its business. I'm not sure we want to start emulating them."
The amendment failed in a vote of 96-52, mostly along party lines.
A letter from former Republican Rep. Peter Brownell, who lost his seat in a primary election after supporting civil unions, convinced Rep. Kurt Wright, R-Burlington, to support the same-sex marriage bill.
Wright said he didn't make up his mind on the issue until Thursday. Reading from Brownell's letter, one line resonated, "I don't regret my decision for a minute."
Rep. Duncan Kilmartin, R-Newport, was one of the Republicans steadfast in opposition Thursday night. He said same-sex marriage runs counter to 5,000 years of history and tradition.
"The wellspring of our civil rights comes from Jesus Christ dying on the cross," he said.
Some House members were more apologetic in their disagreements. Rep. Thomas Koch, R-Barre, said it is "with regret that I vote no." Rep. Albert Audette, D-South Burlington, told members, "I wish I could vote yes."
"I hope my gay and lesbian colleagues and friends don't think I threw them under the bus," said Rep. Scott Wheeler, R-Newport, who voted no. "But I won't blame them if they do."
daniel.barlow@rutlandherald.com