Vermont

Same-sex couples in Vermont began to marry on Tuesday after a law legalizing gay and lesbian marriage took effect.

As couples tied the knot at the stroke of midnight, the South Burlington, Vt.-based Ben & Jerry's ice cream company renamed their popular "Chubby Hubby" flavor to "Hubby Hubby."

"The legalization of marriage for gay and lesbian couples in Vermont is certainly a step in the right direction, and something worth celebrating with peace, love – and plenty of ice cream," said Ben & Jerry’s CEO Walt Freese, according to the Boston Herald. more >>

The Vermont legislature overturned the governor's veto and legalized same-sex marriage on Tuesday.

The state Senate voted 23-5 to override Gov. Jim Douglas' veto and the House voted 100-49 to override.

Douglas had vetoed the bill on Monday, saying the state's civil union law is sufficient in extending the same rights and benefits of marriage to same-sex couples and that he believes marriage should remain between a man and woman. more >>

Before Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas announced that he will veto a same-sex marriage bill, the majority of his letters and e-mails showed opposition to the measure.

Days after his announcement, most of his mail is now coming from same-sex marriage supporters who are critical of Douglas' pledge.

" ... your choice to veto is a slap in the face and a firm reminder that in your opinion, my partner and I are worth less than others simply because we are of the same gender," wrote a South Burlington man, according to The Associated Press which obtained the letters. more >>

After having remained mum throughout much of the debate on a gay marriage bill in Vermont, Gov. Jim Douglas said Wednesday he will veto the measure if it reaches his desk.

He told reporters that he throught the state's civil unions law provided sufficient rights to same-sex couples and reaffirmed his support for marriage between one man and one woman.

"For those reasons and because I believe that by removing any uncertainty about my position we can move more quickly beyond this debate, I am announcing that I intend to veto this legislation when it reaches my desk," Douglas said, according to The Associated Press. more >>

The Vermont Senate overwhelmingly approved on Monday a measure legalizing same-sex marriage.

After a 26-4 vote in the Senate, the House Judiciary Committee is expected to begin debating the gay marriage measure on Tuesday. The bill is also expected to be approved by the state House by next month.

If the bill becomes law, Vermont would become the third state after Massachusetts and Connecticut to allow same-sex marriage and the first state to permit gay and lesbian couples to marry by a vote of the Legislature. more >>