UPDATE 3/19/09: Hearings on Vermont Same-Sex Marriage Bill Begin Today

UPDATE 3/19/09: "Gay Marriage Hearing Draws Crowds in Vermont"

UPDATE: An update on the hearings in Vermont.
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Vermont, the first state in the country to offer civil unions, is now turning its attention to gay marriage. On the heels of numerous high-profile endorsements for gay marriage from different professional groups in Vermont, and a new study from the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law that predicted gay marriage would generate $31 million for the Vermont economy over the next three years, it seemed the natural step to consider a bill allowing gays to marry.

Senate Judiciary Committee in Vermont will open five days of hearings on gay marriage legislation today. Later this week on Wednesday evening, a public hearing will be held at the statehouse in Montpelier. (Full schedule of hearings here)

Democratic leaders in the legislature are confident they have enough votes to pass the legislation; however, it remains unclear whether they can obtain a veto-proof majority. Governor Jim Douglas, a Republican, has said he opposes the legislation.

The senate judiciary committee expects to vote the gay marriage legislation out on Friday.

Get involved at Vermont Freedom to Marry!