New England Is For Gay Marriage

By Year’s End, Seven Northeast States Could Make Gay Marriage The Law Of The Land.

 

With little fanfare or fanaticism, Vermont is poised to become the third state to allow gay marriage. Before the week is over, Vermont’s congress will deliver to Republican governor Jim Douglas a bill allowing his state’s 2000 gay couples (Vermont is the second-smallest state) the right to marry. Douglas has stated opposition to the bill but residents are pro gay marriage by a 58% to 39& margin.

Massachusetts and Connecticut already allow same-sex marriage. New Hampshire is expected to vote on a bill on Thursday. New York recognizes same-sex marriage from any other jurisdiction, but until this week was not expected to vote on gay marriage. On Sunday, Chuck Schumer, New York’s senior senator, joined Kristine Gillibrand in voicing support for same-sex marriage. (Schumer also called for an end to DOMA.) It is now expected to become a viable bill this year, and with a Democratic governor, could pass. And New Jersey’s Democratic governor Jon Corzine has long said it was time his state allowed gay marriage as well.

While this country was not founded on Christianist principles, it was founded in New England, and it is heart-warming to see New England take the lead in such an important civil rights issue. Although optimistic, it is conceivable that by year’s end, gay marriage could be law in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, and Maine.

Rhode Island’s Republican governor has threatened to veto any gay marriage bill. New Hampshire has a Democratic governor but he is opposed to same-sex marriage. Maine hopes to pass their bill this year and has a Democratic governor who has not taken a position on gay marriage. 

With such a strong push in the region, New England could become the country’s first “marriage equality zone.”