I watched the Vermont State Senate discuss and then vote on bill S. 115 to grant same-sex civil marriage. The bill passed 26-4 and will now be sent to the house where it should pass. The bill will then move on to republican governor Jim Douglas who may very well veto it. If it is vetoed by the governor, it's back to the legislature where they'll fight it out for enough votes for a veto override. Below is the play-by-play if you so desire. 1:10 pm - Five minute recess... waiting.. 1:11 pm - Here we go! 1:18 pm - John Campbell, the straight Catholic Senator that introduced the bill is testifying on his support of the bill. He is bringing up former anti-mixed race marriages and answering the ridiculous chargers of the opponents who have compared it to marriages between species, polygamous marriages, or incest. 1:23 pm - Campbell expresses his definition of marriage as a institution to bring about stability in families and how they should be available to everyone. Also discussing how often times, straight marriages suck. 1:25 pm - Discussing children and their use in campaigns against same-sex-marriage. Arguing that same-sex parents can and are usually good parents and how he has seen countless numbers of children and families who have been messed up by their straight parents. 1:29 pm - Campbell is getting passionate and speaking about people's "ick" factor about gay people and gay sex and how it has nothing to do with what the state should be concerned with. 1:31 pm - Emphasizing the section of the bill which states that this does not take away the rights of religious organizations to express themselves including denying religious marriages to whomever they want. 1:35 pm - Making his final point. He is expressing is disgust at the tone of the opponents in labeling gay people as "they" or "those people". 1:36 pm - Amendment being offered by another supportive senator fella. 1:38 pm - Oh... maybe not so supportive. The amendment presented is to bring the issue to the voters in Vermont. Chicken sh*t amendment. 1:41 pm - Chicken sh*t amendment sponsor is Kevin J. Mullin (R), and states that he thinks people feel like this is being shoved down their throat. But I still get the feeling that he is in general supportive of marriage equality. (He later voted yes for the bill. He has a gay son) 1:43 pm - Senator Dick Sears recapping why the referendum amendment was voted down 4-1. 1:49 pm - Another senator arguing her opposition to the referendum amendment saying it would take too much time and money. 1:51 pm - Another senator concerned that the bill is being moved along too quickly in support of the referendum amendment. 1:54 pm - Another senator against the referendum amendment and how divisive it would be and how out of state influences would pour into the state for the election. 1:55 pm - Roll call on the referendum amendment! 1:57 pm - 11 yes, 19 no. The bill will not be sent to a referendum popular vote by the people. 2:02 pm - Senator Jane Kitchel wants it to be especially clarified that this is a Civil Marriage, not religious. I think they just voted for an amendment that clarified that.... I think. 2:10 pm - D-Bag Senator Randy Brock arguing against the bill. Arguing the usual "marriage has always been a union between a man and a woman" and the dumb sh*t argument that they are formed to procreate. 2:13 pm - Senator Dick McCormack rebuts Brock's stupid arguments. 2:17 pm - McCormack is making some very eloquent historical and religious arguments about the evolution of the definition of marriage. 2:20 pm - McCormack was amazing. 2:23 pm - Old fella arguing that "the world is made of three groups of people: people who made things happen, people who watch things happen, and people who wondered 'what happened?'" Basically he's arguing that this is happening too fast but he's arguing in a rambling old guy way. 2:30 pm - Co-sponsor of the bill Peter Shumlin speaking. 2:33 pm - Roll Call! The real one! 2:35 pm - 26 yes, 4 no! YAAAAAY!

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