Will Vermont get
same-sex marriage?

A commission of appointees will meet for the first time Thursday to contemplate introducing a same-sex marriage bill to Vermont's legislature. The 10-member group is led by Rep. Tom Little, who was a house judiciary committee chair when the state legalized civil unions in 2000.

The group was assembled by the leaders of the state senate and house. They are expected to finish their study around spring 2008, making it unlikely that the legislature could consider a same-sex marriage bill before 2009, reports the Associated Press.

Neighboring New Hampshire will join Vermont in granting civil unions to state residents on January 1. (The Advocate)