And then there was 4...

[liz_marcs]

Vermont has officially legalized same-sex marriage.

Unlike Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Iowa, which had the state supreme courts leaning heavily on their respective state constitutions to make it legal, the Vermont legislature first voted on it and then had to override a gubernatorial veto.

The Burlington Free Press has the whole package, including video, about Vermont's decision to become the 4th state in the nation to legalize same-sex marraige.

Remember when I said back in the day that we were gonna win?

We're gonna win. We're really, really gonna win.

And this video from the Iowa state senate in which Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal explains precisely why we're gonna win.

I...think I kinda love him, white Iowa farmboy looks and all.

And, oh yeah! Found on the Internet a few days ago:

"Stuart" by the Dead Milkmen. I had completely and totally forgotten about "Stuart," and you'd think with Iowa legalizing same-sex marriage and all, I'd remember without someone reminding me.

My God! Truly prescient in its way. And really, really good for a bit of a giggle.

I keeeeed Iowa. I keeed because I love.

Stuart - Dead Milkmen from Bryan J Busch on Vimeo.

Comments

[rufinia.livejournal.com]

OMG, Gronstal totally made me choke up.

Iowa, for all that I've spent my ENTIRE LIFE making fun of you (it's what we Minnesotans DO- what else are we going to do with the crap Wisconsin dumps on us?), I'm proud to have been your neighbor for 24 years. (Even if you did try to drown me in a flood that one time)

[vichan.livejournal.com]

That first video sends pleasant little chills down my spine.

HUGE fan of this article. [Edit: I mean I'm a fan of the amount of states that would override marriage bans, and how soon they would, based off the opinions of the residents of each state. Look how many are ready to do it NOW! ^_^]

[xxmagex.livejournal.com]

Hmmm, I do have trouble with Utah not being the last to override marriage bans. That just seems counter-intuitive to me.

[vichan.livejournal.com]

They're basing it off of the current rate that opposition is dropping - roughly 2% in a year. It's very scientific, I know, and not necessarily the surefire way everything will land.

If I was listening to my own gut feeling, I would say Ohio would also be one of the last. Utah and Ohio both passed gay marriage bans the same year, both by margins that make me feel sick to my stomach. (Ohio was 62%; I think Utah was 65%?)

However, I'm starting to feel better about the future. We've got a generation of young people who believe in equality coming of age to vote and people in their 20s-40s who are slowly realizing that intolerance may just be something that was driven into them by their parents and not necessarily what they should believe in. (I've seen it happen many times over now!)

Basically... I'm finally starting to feel optimistic! \o/

[lizziebelle.livejournal.com]

OMG, I think I love Gronstal, too. That was completely awesome. That is *just* the attitude people should have. Thank you for sharing that!

[kokuten.livejournal.com]

I have yet to hear an argument 'Against' that made any sort of sense whatsoever.

Congratulations, Iowa!

[gwynnega]

That Gronstal video is so awesome.

[xxmagex.livejournal.com]

I personally think that Vermont's action is of more importance than the Court's actions by Massachusetts, Connecticut and Iowa.

Judges and judicial philosophy change over time, but a legislative action is on the books and can't just be reversed by changing a few judges.

[sunnyd-lite.livejournal.com]

Thanks Liz!

[redbrickrose.livejournal.com]

Thanks for that link to the Gronstal clip. I totally teared up.

Yay, Iowa!

[adpfromga.livejournal.com]

I used to think the West Coast was the cradle of civilization. Now, except for the snow, I think the North East wins.

[a2zmom.livejournal.com]

Gronstal is made of win.

And considering the world right now, supporting love seems like the right way to go.

[texanfan.livejournal.com]

Could be a full sweep in our lifetime.

[midnightsjane.livejournal.com]

Go, Vermont!
You know, we legalized same sex marriage in Canada some time ago, and I'd like to assure all those states on the brink of doing the same that society didn't fall apart, and on the whole the world seems to be ticking along just fine..so way to go, Vermont and Iowa!!

[1-mad-squirrel.livejournal.com]

My oldest friend's brother was the sound guy for the Dead Milkmen for years.