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No Rush to Altar as Vermont Starts Marrying Gays

Fifth state to legalize same-sex marriage sees little demand

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 1, 2009 8:00 AM CDT

(Newser) – After 17 years together, a couple from upstate New York married at 12:01 this morning—the first same-sex couple to wed in Vermont. Today the Green Mountain State, which gave the US civil unions, becomes the fifth state and fourth in New England to allow gays and lesbians to marry. But as the AP reports, there hasn't been a major rush to the altar; city clerks say that only a handful of licenses have been issued.

In April Vermont became the first state in the union to authorize same-sex marriage via a legislative decree, rather than in response to a court case. Yet while gay couples aren't streaming into Vermont, the state is getting some less welcome visitors: Westboro Baptist Church, the fringe anti-gay group led by Fred Phelps, is picketing in the capital of Montpelier today.

Bill Slimback, left, and Bob Sullivan of Whitehall, NY, light a candle during their wedding ceremony at Moose Meadow Lodge in Waterbury, Vt., on Tuesday, September 1, 2009. (ANDY DUBACK)

Bill Slimback and Bob Sullivan of Whitehall, NY, celebrate their marriage at Moose Meadow Lodge in Waterbury, Vt. The ceremony was performed by a justice of the peace. (ANDY DUBACK)

Vermont was the first state to introduce civil unions, but there's been no rush for marriage certificates lately. (ANDY DUBACK)

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No Rush to Altar as Vermont Starts Marrying Gays

Fifth state to legalize same-sex marriage sees little demand

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GOP Lawmakers Want to Repeal Gay Marriage in NH

But some Republicans hope to skip the contentious issue

Washington Gov. Signs Gay Marriage Into Law

Christine Gregoire's pen legalizes same-sex marriage

NJ Senate Passes Gay Marriage Bill

But Gov. Chris Christie likely to veto it

Ram, Doe to Marry in China

Zoologists caution against over-analyzing the interspecies bond

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Marriage isn't the only healthy choice, experts say

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No Rush to Altar as Vermont Starts Marrying Gays

Fifth state to legalize same-sex marriage sees little demand

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

gay marriage • marriage • Vermont • New England

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

GOP Lawmakers Want to Repeal Gay Marriage in NH

But some Republicans hope to skip the contentious issue

Washington Gov. Signs Gay Marriage Into Law

Christine Gregoire's pen legalizes same-sex marriage

NJ Senate Passes Gay Marriage Bill

But Gov. Chris Christie likely to veto it

Ram, Doe to Marry in China

Zoologists caution against over-analyzing the interspecies bond

Staying Single: A Valid Choice for Millions

Marriage isn't the only healthy choice, experts say

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Newser By Users

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