Gay marriage is now legal in Vermont.

But Vermont's new law is a first — it came about because elected officials chose to allow all of the consenting adults in the state to get married, not because of a court ruling or lawsuit.

Vermont governor Jim Douglas vetoed the bill yesterday, but support for it was strong.

Today, the Vermont legislature voted to override the veto. Under Vermont law, two-thirds of each chamber had to vote for override.  The veto override passed easily in the Senate — the vote was 23-5.  But only one vote made the difference in the House — it was and 100-49 to override in the House. (Yes, the vote of a person made the difference).

Vermont was the first state in the nation to legalize "civil unions" among gays.  That was nine years ago.  Today, they scrapped that to call gay marriage what it rightfully is – marriage.