Momentum Builds Behind Gay Marriage

Decisions in Iowa and Vermont have doubled the number of states allowing gay marriage in less than a week and campaigners feel they are on a roll, the New York Times reports. At least nine other state legislatures will consider measures to legalize gay marriage this year. Newly energized supporters—and opponents—plan to step up their campaigns.

Legislative support is building in New York, New Jersey, Maine, and New Hampshire, but gay marriage will likely face a tougher fight elsewhere, especially in the 30 states where it is constitutionally banned. "I think we will have a period that we really haven’t ever seen before in American history,” said a director of a civil rights group, “of people needing to undo state constitutional amendments—which is not an easy thing to do." (More gay marriage stories.)