Meanwhile in Vermont...

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, came out in strong opposition to today's veto by Governor Douglas of marriage equality legislation. The bill, S. 115, which would provide marriage rights to lesbian and gay couples, passed the Vermont State Senate by a vote of 26 to 4 and the Vermont State House of Representatives by a vote of 95 to 52....

Shortly after the House and Senate versions of the bill were reconciled today, Governor Douglas fulfilled his threat to veto the legislation, sending it back to the Vermont legislature for an override vote which is expected to take place soon.

If Governor Douglas had just signed the bill, or let it become law without his signature, the debate would be over, and the legislature could focus on more important things than, you know, the equality of the citizens of Vermont under the law. I mean, pfft! But no, he vetoed it... so it goes back to the legislature, which will now waste time attempting to override the governor's veto.

Or... has anyone asked the governor for a measure of economic health that would allow him to sign this bill? If his only reason for opposing this civil-rights legislation is our current economic plight, will the governor pledge to sign a gay marriage bill if the unemployment rate falls to, say, six percent? Five? Four?

UPDATE: And meanwhile in Iowa... some disturbing developments.

I've received word from people on the ground in Iowa that anti-gay groups in Iowa are rallying to put pressure on the legislature and Governor Chet Culver to pass an amendment to the state constitution to nullify Friday’s court ruling. While leading lawmakers Senate Majority Leader and Mike Gronstal and House Speaker Pat Murphy have thrown their full support behind the ruling, Culver is something of a wild card...

Andy at Towleroad has more. You can contact Culver's office via email and by phone (515.281.5211)—and urge him not to amend the Iowa constitution, or call a special session.