Vt. Governor Signs Bill on Civil Unions

Gov. Howard Dean signed landmark legislation Wednesday granting the full benefits of marriage to same-sex couples in the state.

“This is a statement that Vermont values people for who they are, not what they are,” the Democrat said after signing the first-in-the-nation law extending virtually all the benefits of marriage to gay and lesbian couples.

Under the law, same-sex couples will be able to enter into a civil union intended to be the parallel of marriage. They will be able to go to any town clerk for a license that may then be certified by a justice of the peace or a clergy member. A dissolution will be handled in family court, just as divorces are.

The statute, which will take effect July 1, will have no impact on federal law relating to marriage. But it is expected to have a profound effect on many laws in this state, including adoption, inheritance and health care.

Dean signed the measure in his office one day after the Vermont House gave its final approval.

He said at a news conference afterward that he believes the law meets the Vermont Supreme Court mandate that gay and lesbian couples receive the same legal rights, benefits and obligations as married couples.

The state high court said in December that it was up to the Legislature to structure a law but that the result must offer equal protection to both categories of couples.

Dean, who is up for reelection in November, has said his office was barraged by 20,000 letters opposing the measure. “Undoubtedly this will be an election year issue . . . but the legislators that voted on it didn’t think about politics and, frankly, neither did I . . . .

“This will happen in other states,” he predicted.