Same-sex panel releases report (Vt.)

[canis_lupus]

The Vermont Commission on Family Recognition and Protection, which has been studying same-sex marriage, released its report today and took no stand on whether to seek a gay marriage law.

The 11-member group was set up to review and evaluate Vermont’s laws relating to the recognition and protection of same-sex couples and the families they form.

Proponents of same-sex marriage said the report lays out the foundation needed to win approval of same-sex marriage in next year’s legislative session. Opponents of broadening Vermont law on the subject said their views are not represented in the report because they declined to attend the public hearings.

Vermont enacting a civil union law in 2000 which at the time was the first of its kind in the nation.

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080421/NEWS/80421028

"Opponents ... said their views are not represented in the report because they declined to attend the public hearings."

WTF? The fundies, repugs and other lower life forms "declined to attend" the hearings and now want to whine because their views aren't represented?

[cali]

1. Well, first of all, there aren't that many of them here.

The majority of Vermonters now say, by a slim majority, that they support full marriage rights, and by a substantial majority they support civil unions. The legislature is out of session soon, so nothing will happen this year, but next year, you'll be seeing VT move to full marriage rights for the gay and lesbian community. Our legislature is pretty damn progressive and dems hold a veto proof majority in both houses. Still, it would be great to get rid of our repuke gov. Unlikely to happen this year, as he's only opposed by a Progressive Party candidate- no dem is running.