Same-Sex Marriage In Vermont

A Summary of Gay Marriage in Vermont

At the heart of the modern Gay Rights Movement is the fight for marriage equality. Across the globe, cities, states and entire nations are recognizing the rights of LGBT people to form families under the protection of the law. Here is where same-sex marriage stands in Vermont:

• September 1, 2009: A new statewide same-sex marriage law took effect at 12am, making Vermont the fourth state in America where gay marriage is legally recognized.


• April 7, 2009: The state legislature overrode Gov. Jim Douglas’s veto of a bill allowing same-sex couples to marry, making Vermont the first state to allow gay marriage through legislative action.
  
  With House and Senate votes of 100 to 49 and 25 to 5, respectively, Vermont became the fourth US state to allow same-sex marriage behind Massachusetts, Connecticut and Iowa. The legislative branches were successful in procuring two-thirds or the exact number of votes needed to override Gov. Douglas's veto.


• December 20, 1999: Vermont became the first state to grant civil unions under then Gov. Howard Dean. The law went into effect July 1, 2000.


• Which other states allow gay marriage? Explore same-sex marriage laws by region.