Gay Marriage
Hearing Draws Crowds in Vermont

Nearly 1,000 people crowded into the house chamber in Montpelier, V.T. on Wednesday evening to testify about a gay marriage bill before the house and senate judiciary committees. Legislators heard three hours of passionate testimony on questions such as the purpose of marriage and the meaning of family.

The Burlington Free Pressreported that about 70 Vermonters spoke from 200 who signed up to speak. Among those registered to testify, 115 were in favor of gay marriage and 85 were against it.

Many gay marriage supporters spoke about the separate but equal status conferred by civil unions, which Vermont legalized in 2000, becoming the first state to do so.

"I am tired of sitting quietly to the side. I am tired of being a second-class citizen," said Brad Peacock of Shaftsbury.

The senate judiciary committee is expected to vote on the legislation by Friday, after which it will move to the house. Both chambers of the legislature are controlled by Democrats, although it is unclear whether they can muster the votes to override a potential veto from Governor Jim Douglas, a Republican, who has said he believes lawmakers should be focused on other priorities, such as the economy, right now.

If the legislation succeeds, gay marriages would begin in September.

Senator Kevin Mullin, a Republican member of the judiciary committee, proposed on Tuesday that the process in the legislature is rushed. He said he would offer an amendment to delay the committee vote and call for a non-binding statewide referendum on gay marriage in 2010. Observers regard his effort as a long shot.