Bravo, Vermont!

"AP—Vermont lawmakers on Tuesday overrode the governor's veto of a measure legalizing same-sex marriage, making the state the fourth to allow gay and lesbian couples to wed. The move comes nine years after Vermont became the first state to allow civil unions for gay couples."

Massachusetts, Connecticut and Iowa also allow same-sex marriage, while a law will take effect in New Hampshire Jan. 1, 2010.

I was already dutifully proud of Vermont, where we hosted our civil union July 27, 2002, when it became the first state to make such a positive move. While Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas can bite me—and should be ashamed of himself (in addition to being voted out of office)—gay marriage rights have now been passed in five out of 50 states. It's a promising start.

Oh, by the way, WAKE UP NEW YORK!

Someday, generations will view this as an absurd rite of passage, as odd as denying voter's rights for women and equal rights for blacks (And isn't it ironic that the most tenacious opposition continues from pockets of minorities across the country? How dare they). But of course, we have such a long road ahead. Until a federal mandate is passed that allows same-sex marriage for foreign partners—a right that straight couples have—it's a mere drop in the bucket.

All the same, seems like an appropriate time to celebrate the male form, yes?