That is what some in the legislature hope to accomplish. Rep. Mark Larson, D-Burlington, has drafted a bill to expand marriage to same-sex couples and plans to introduce it Thursday, although neither he nor advocates believe it will be debated or adopted this year.

Vermont has had civil unions for gay and lesbians for the past six years. Rep. Mark Larson said that he believes that Vermont is 'ready to talk about giving gay and lesbian couples the ability to marry'.

Vermont was the first state to recognize same-sex relationships when it created civil unions.

The first draft of the new bill will be introduced Thursday. The bill will do two things. First, it would give same-sex couples the right to marry. Secondly, it would allow clergy to refuse to perform a same-sex marriage if it violated their religious beliefs.
The bill would not address civil unions, either by abolishing them in favor of marriage or by setting out a process where a civil union relationship could be converted to civil marriage.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 at 6:40 PM. Want to discuss? Leave a comment below.