With a 19-11 vote, Vermont State Senators passed a civil union bill granting lesbians and gay men the most comprehensive system of domestic partner benefits in the nation, qualifying them for the some 300 rights and benefits available to married couples in the state.
The landmark legislation must clear one final hurdle in the Vermont House of Representatives next week, which approved an almost identical bill in March, before heading to Gov. Howard Dean’s desk for his assured signature.
