CARNAL NATION

It was going to be close, and nobody was sure if it would happen. The Associated Press reports that Tuesday morning Vermont lawmakers passed an override of Gov. Jim Douglas's Monday afternoon veto of the same-sex marriage bill. The Vermont State Senate handily voted down the veto 23-5, but the House recorded a dramatic and nerve-wracking 100-49 vote, the absolute minimum needed to override the veto. Vermont is the fourth state in the U.S. to legalize gay marriage, but it is the first state to do so legislatively. Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Iowa were forced to allow gays and lesbians to marry by court order.

When the Speaker of the House announced the vote, jubilation erupted among the crowds. Among the celebrants were former Rep. Robert Dostis, D-Waterbury, and his longtime partner, Chuck Kletecka, who will be celebrating 25 years together in September. Dostis proposed to his longtime companion, who, upon accepting, is now his fiancé and will soon be his husband. Congratulations.