In Backlash Vote, Vermont’s House Bans Same-Sex Marriages

Vermont’s House of Representatives on Friday passed a bill explicitly outlawing same-sex marriages, a backlash against the first-in-the-nation civil union ceremonies for gay and lesbian couples that were approved by legislators less than a year ago.

In a largely symbolic gesture certain to reopen old wounds, Republicans, who regained their first majority in 16 years amid anti-civil union sentiment last fall, pushed through the measure outlawing marriages for gays. The bill was approved by a voice vote that followed an 84-15 preliminary vote in its favor Thursday.

Although the bill is not expected to pass the Democrat-controlled Senate, it represents the first significant rebuke to civil unions in a state that has been marked by “Take back Vermont” protest signs and anti-gay vandalism since the decision to allow civil unions.

The bill mirrors efforts elsewhere in the country to block legalization and recognition of same-sex unions. Thirty-five states, including California, have “defense of marriage” laws restricting marriage to heterosexual couples, with Nevada and Nebraska banning recognition of civil unions.

More bills are pending in part because of concern about the 1,422 nonresident Vermonters who have filed civil union certificates to date. That is more than three times the number of residents who have chosen to participate in such rites.

“The question is, will they go back to their respective states and challenge the marriage laws?” asked Heather Cirmo, a spokeswoman for the Family Research Council in Washington, D.C., which opposes same-sex unions.

Others contend that the vote against civil unions does not threaten traditional marriage laws. Legislators in Hawaii, Rhode Island, California and Washington have introduced bills to establish civil unions.