PFLAG Praises Historic Vermont Vote on Marriage Equality

State Becomes 3rd to Fully Recognize Same-Sex Couples & First To Successfully
Implement Marriage Through a Legislative Vote

BURLINGTON, Vt., April 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Vermont legislature,
in an historic vote, has overridden a veto by the state's governor to grant
full marriage equality to lesbian and gay couples. The veto override, which
was approved by both the state House and Senate earlier today, makes Vermont
the first state in the country to successfully implement full marriage
recognition for same-sex couples through a legislative vote. In 2000, Vermont
granted recognition to same-sex couples under a statewide civil unions law.
Marriage will now become legal in the state on September 1st.

"From America's heartland to the hills of Vermont, our country is living up to
its promise of equality for everyone as it never has before," said Jody M.
Huckaby, executive director of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and
Gays (PFLAG). "Today, Vermont's state motto of 'Freedom and Unity' rings true
for the estimated 2,100 same-sex couples who call the state home. The people's
representatives have made history, declaring a separate recognition for some
families as being unequal in the eyes of the law. And Vermont's families have
won a joyous victory, gaining the rights, protections and recognition they
deserve under the law."

Today's vote in Vermont makes the state the fourth in the country, following
Massachusetts, Connecticut and Iowa, to recognize marriage equality. It also
becomes the first to successfully do so through the legislative process.
Although California's legislature has twice approved a similar measure,
lawmakers have been unable to override the governor's veto. In November,
California voters narrowly approved Proposition 8, which overturned a court
decision granting marriage equality in the state.

According to the Williams Institute at the University of California-Los
Angeles, Vermont is home to nearly 24,000 lesbian and gay citizens, including
more than 2,100 same-sex couples. Lesbian and gay couples, the Institute
recently found, live in every county in the state.

PFLAG promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and
transgender persons, their families and friends through: support, to cope with
an adverse society; education, to enlighten an ill-informed public; and
advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights. Parents,
Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays provides opportunity for dialogue
about sexual orientation and gender identity, and acts to create a society
that is healthy and respectful of human diversity.

SOURCE Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)

Steve Ralls of PFLAG, +1-202-467-8180, ext. 214, sralls@pflag.org