The Latest Detail - Southern Voice Online

The Latest Detail - Southern Voice Online

Attempt at override vote planned for Tuesday
By CHRIS JOHNSON, Washington Blade | Apr 6, 5:45 PM

The governor of Vermont vetoed Monday legislation that would have legalized same-sex marriage in the state.

Gov. Jim Douglas, a Republican, vetoed the legislation, which passed the state Senate, 26-4, and the state House, 95-52.

Backers of the legislation said they would attempt to override the governor’s veto. An override vote in both chambers of the Vermont Legislature is planned for Tuesday.

A two-thirds vote is necessary in both chambers to override the governor’s veto. At least four additional House votes are needed to override the veto.

Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, criticized Douglas in a statement Monday.

“This move by Gov. Douglas denies basic human rights to lesbian and gay couples who live in the state of Vermont,” he said. “We ask all fair-minded residents of Vermont to call their legislators immediately and urge them to stand up for equality by overriding Governor Douglas’ veto.”

If the legislature overrides the veto, Vermont will become the first state to provide marriage rights to gay couples through the legislative without a court order to do so.

Vermont was the first state in the country to enact civil unions in 2000.