Vermont Senate panel approves gay marriage bill

The first steps to legal marriage in VT.

The Associated Press: Vermont Senate panel approves gay marriage bill

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — A Vermont Senate committee has unamimously approved advancing a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage in the state.

The senate Judiciary Committee voted 5-0 on Friday to advance the measure that was the topic of an emotional public hearing on Wednesday that drew hundreds to the Statehouse.

The full Senate is expected to take up the bill next week.

Gov. Jim Douglas has said he opposes the measure, but has not indicated whether he would veto it.

If approved, Vermont would join Massachusetts and Connecticut as the only U.S. states that allow gay marriage.