‘Civil Unions’ Bill for Gays Weighed

Citing decades of “mistreatment, discrimination and prejudice,” the only gay member of the state Legislature in Montpelier, Vt., pleaded for support of a bill allowing gays the equivalent of marriage. Spectators, some wearing pink badges for the bill and others wearing white badges against it, packed the state House as debate began. Both supporters and opponents say the bill would provide more rights and benefits for same-sex couples than any other state. The Democratic-controlled House voted 79 to 68 Wednesday to advance the bill for a final vote expected today. Under the bill, gays could be joined by civil unions just as heterosexual couples can marry.