In an override of the Governor’s Veto just minutes ago, the legislature cleared the way for the legalization of gay and lesbians in the state to marry. It may be too soon to report, and is just a rumor (started by me) at this time, but it is anticipated that dozens of families are packing up and leaving the state before their marriages are destroyed by the coming gay nuptuals. Here’s the story about the legislative action from the AP wire:

Vermont on Tuesday became the fourth state to legalize gay marriage – and the first to do so with a legislature’s vote.

The House recorded a dramatic 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.

. . .

House Speaker Shap Smith’s announcement of the vote brought an outburst of jubilation from some of the hundreds packed into the gallery and the lobby outside the House chamber, despite the speaker’s admonishment against such displays.

Among the celebrants in the lobby were former Rep. Robert Dostis, D-Waterbury, and his longtime partner, Chuck Kletecka. Dostis recalled efforts to expand gay rights dating to an anti-discrimination law passed in 1992.

“It’s been a very long battle. It’s been almost 20 years to get to this point,” Dostis said. “I think finally, most people in Vermont understand that we’re a couple like any other couple. We’re as good and as bad as any other group of people. And now I think we have a chance to prove ourselves here on forward that we’re good members of our community.”

Dostis said he and Kletecka will celebrate their 25th year together in September.

“Is that a proposal?” Kletecka asked.

“Yeah,” Dostis replied. “Twenty-five years together, I think it’s time we finally got married.”

There’s another story at Reuters, and a story with a link to a live video feed on Pam’s House Blend. There’s sure to be some top notch reporting about reactions to the vote at the Burlington Free Press, and they do have some great pictures, but it is early. there will be many celebrations, I’m sure, even among Vermont businesses, whose CEOs have supported gay marriage.

Opponents of gay marriage spent the last few days lobbying their legislators in vain and annoying the hell out of their fellow citizens. Robocalls hit thousands of homes on behalf of those hoping legislators would sustain the Governor’s veto. They failed, probably because Vermonters are not going to listen to robots telling them what to do. Frankly, they used the exact worst strategy possible to try and turn the tide here. Robocalls to Vermonters probably work as well as does a buggy whip does to get one’s broken down car going.

So be careful on the roads out of Vermont in the next few days. Opponents of gay marriage will be fleeing the state in droves and abandoning their properties, fleeing the celebrations of those for whom civil rights are precious and now for all in Vermont. Chaos likely will ensue. At least that’s the rumor.