MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) -- The Republican majority in the Vermont House is poised to explicitly outlaw gay marriage, just a year after a Democratic majority approved civil unions for same-sex couples.
Republicans won their first outright House majority in 14 years based largely on the backlash against granting marriage rights, benefits and responsibilities to gay and lesbian couples.
A preliminary vote on a proposal that would prohibit gay couples from marrying passed 84-55 on Thursday. The final House vote was scheduled for Friday.
But the bill could encounter a frosty reception in the Democrat-controlled Senate, which remains hostile to the measure.
Last March, Vermont became the first state to recognize civil unions, giving gay and lesbian couples all the rights, benefits and responsibilities of marriage. The law, however, stops short of legalizing same-sex marriage.
Members of both parties said the bill was a clear political reaction to last year's civil unions debate and the election that followed.
"I defeated a 10-year incumbent without knocking on a single door because of his vote (on civil unions)," said Republican Rep. Craig Scribner.
Supporters of the bill said it was necessary to clearly state that despite civil unions, marriage was not open to same-sex couples.
"The bottom line is the majority of Vermonters do not want to redefine marriage to allow same-sex marriage," said Republican Rep. George Schiavone.
Opponents said the bill was redundant because the civil unions law defined marriage as a union between a man and woman in three different places in state statutes.
The two openly gay members of the House said it was demeaning for same-sex couples to be told again that marriage was not open to them.
As his partner of 17 years sat in a seat across the front of the chamber, Democratic Rep. Robert Dostis called the bill's language frightening.
"I can assure you that we know marriage is between one man and one woman. We understand it and we accept it," Dostis said."When you grow up gay, you live in fear of persecution and when you read this, it hits very deep."
