Vermont lawmakers defy governor, legalize gay marriage

Vermont has become the fourth state to legalize gay marriage - and the first to do so with a legislature’s vote.

The Legislature voted Tuesday to override Gov. Jim Douglas’ veto of a bill allowing gays and lesbians to marry.

The vote was 23-5 to override in the state Senate and 100-49 to override in the House.

Under Vermont law, two-thirds of each chamber had to vote for override.

The vote came nine years after Vermont adopted its first-in-the-nation civil unions law.

It’s now the fourth state to permit same-sex marriage.

Massachusetts, Connecticut and Iowa are the others.

Their approval of gay marriage came from the courts.