States to allow gay marriage

By Mary Georgevich

Two more states legalized same-sex marriage this week, less than six months after California voters defined marriage as between a man and a woman.

"I'm ecstatic," said Ricky Alexander, who is openly gay. "Love prevailed."

Daniel Olsen, the director of public relations for College Republicans, said the group is disappointed because they believe same-sex marriage violates the institution of marriage.

"There should be some way for the gays to have a legal union," he said. "But if gay marriage were to pass in California, it would redefine the institution."

The Iowa Supreme Court on Friday unanimously upheld a lower-court ruling that rejected a state law restricting marriage to a union between a man and woman. Now gays and lesbians may exchange vows as soon as April 24.

The county attorney who defended the law said he would not seek a rehearing. The only recourse for opponents appeared to be a constitutional amendment, which would not be able to get onto the ballot until 2012 at the earliest.

Alexander said he is impressed that a state in the heartland, which is commonly considered to be conservative, has legalized same-sex marriage.

"It shows that equality for all is not a liberal or conservative issue," he said.

Olsen, however, said he isn't sure the courts should decide this issue.

Vermont on Tuesday became the fourth state to legalize same-sex marriage -- and the first to do so with a legislature's vote.

The Vermont House recorded a 100-49 vote, the minimum needed, to override Gov. Jim Douglas' veto.

Its vote followed a much easier override vote in the Senate, which rebuffed the Republican governor with a vote of 23-5.

Alexander spoke to about 10 representatives from Vermont that had originally voted no on the bill. The House needed at least five representatives to change their votes for the override.

"At least two or three were willing to consider my opinion," he said. "Many religious conservatives were downright hostile to me on the phone."

Vermont was the first state to legalize civil unions for same-sex couples and joins Connecticut, Massachusetts and Iowa in giving gays and lesbians the right to marry.

Their approval of same-sex marriage came from the courts.

While feeling that the states should decide the issue, Olsen said he believes the process should look more like California's, where a direct vote added an amendment to the constitution defining marriage as between a man and a woman.

Tuesday morning's legislative action came less than a day after Douglas issued a veto message saying the bill would not improve the lot of gay and lesbian couples because it still would not provide them rights under federal and other states' laws.

Douglas called the override "not unexpected." He had called the issue of same-sex marriage a distraction during a time when he felt economic and budget issues were more important.

"What really disappoints me is that we have spent some time on an issue during which another thousand Vermonters have lost their jobs," the governor said on Tuesday. "We need to turn our attention to balancing a budget without raising taxes, growing the economy, putting more people to work."

Alexander was disappointed in the governor's response, saying his lack of congratulations to the gay and lesbian community was "in poor taste."

For six months last year, California's high court allowed same-sex marriage before voters chose to ban it in November.

The state's Supreme Court is in the process of deciding a case challenging the constitutionality of the November amendment.

"It's great that people are voicing their opinions," Olsen said of the response to the passage of Proposition 8. "But I don't see how people could be outraged. It's kind of ridiculous."

In Iowa, hundreds cheered, waved rainbow flags and shed tears of joy at rallies in seven cities Friday evening.

In downtown Des Moines, Iowa, about 300 people gathered beneath rainbow flags to celebrate including Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie.

"We finally have equality in Iowa," said Harold Delaria of Des Moines, Iowa, who attended the rally and has two gay children. "It's kind of the last wall of legalized discrimination, and it's coming tumbling down."

In Vermont, the House had initially approved the bill last week with a 95-52 vote.

One who voted to approve the bill was first-term Democrat Rep. Jeff Young. He said he continued to be philosophically opposed to same-sex marriage, but decided that voting with his fellow Democrats would help him be an effective legislator in the future.

AP Wire contributed to this report. Contact Mary Georgevich at (408) 554-4546 or mgeorgevich@scu.edu.