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Vermont House Passes Gay Marriage Bill

Measure now headed for likely veto by governor

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 3, 2009 2:31 AM CDT

(Newser) – The Vermont House of Representatives has followed the state senate in voting to legalize gay marriage, reports the Wall Street Journal. The bill will now head to Gov. James Douglas, who has promised to veto it. The 95-52 House vote falls short of the two-thirds majority needed to override a veto, although some Democrats who voted against the bill have signaled they may change their position.

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A Vermont activist holds a sign during a gathering of gay marriage supporters in Montpelier. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot)

Supporters of a bill that would allow full marriage rights for gays and lesbians in Vermont hold a protest at the Statehouse in Montpelier, Vt., last week. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot)

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People here have seen what it looks like and realized it doesn't harm anybody. - Shap Smith, speaker of Vermont's House of Representatives

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Vermont House Passes Gay Marriage Bill