Vt. lawmakers give OK to gay marriage

USA TODAY

Staff and wire reports
MONTPELIER, Vt. — Vermont's House of Representatives gave preliminary approval Thursday night to a historic same-sex marriage bill, setting up a showdown with Gov. Jim Douglas.
After nearly four hours of passionate debate from supporters and opponents of the measure, the House approved the bill by a vote of 95-52 shortly after 9 p.m.

The legislation, S.115, would give same-sex couples the right to marry in Vermont.

The bill will be brought up again in the House on Friday for final approval. Then it must return to the state Senate, where changes to language must be approved. Should the Senate OK those changes, the bill will head to Douglas desk — and a promised veto.

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