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Below is a real time report from Heidi The Spy, our intrepid Vermonter who attended the entire day’s hearings yesterday at The Vermont Statehouse, leading up to the House’s vote on the marriage equality bill.  She shares her impressions of the opposition, the representatives, and makes some happy predictions.

First Report:

“Heidi the Spy is having a very very long day at the Vermont Statehouse. Arrived at 8:00 to get a good seat in the House Chamber (good as in view, not comfort). 9:30-3:30, the reps discussed and debated the budget bill. Vt Freedom to Marry folks pack the gallery, and due to our early arrival, there’s not much room for the opposition, who arrived about 12:00ish for a rally on the yard.

(Mystery of the Day: The opposition has placards and frisbees that say “Gay Frisbee Not Gay Marriage”– no one I’ve spoken with knows what that’s about.)

At approximately 3:30, Rep. Lippert finally and very articulately introduced the Marriage Equality bill. Then there was some discussion about amendments, most notably an amendment to suspend debate on the issue and present the question of same sex marriage to a non-binding voter referendum. (Remember, Vermont is not California. Referenda here are very rare.)

After about an hour’s discussion, that amendment came to vote and did not pass. We’re on dinner break now until 7:15 and then debate and, ultimately, vote.  We’ll see how long I last.  I’m flagging, but my seat mate Matt is giving me pep talks.”

Second Report:

We’ve heard several amazing speeches. The vast, vast majority of legislators are speaking in favor of the bill, and they are telling great, moving stories–their own stories, and the stories of constituents. What touches me is that some of the members seem truly tormented by this decision. One stated that as a devout Catholic, he believes his Church will not allow him to vote in support of this bill, but after hearing the testimony and the speeches of his colleagues, he wishes he could. Others report that they have struggled on this vote for hours, days, weeks, and are only reaching their decisions right now.

I should add to my earlier dispatch, that as relates to the opposition, the gentleman sitting in front of me all day has been nothing but polite and respectful. He is a deeply religious man and deeply opposed to this bill, but he is kind, respectful, and sincere in his beliefs, and I am impressed by his courage in patiently and earnestly explaining and respectfully debating his position to all who will listen–and he is surrounded on all sides by marriage equality supporters.

Roll call vote now: stay tuned.

Third Report:

The vote was 95- 52.  That’s under the 100 needed to know that sufficient support existed to override the the promised veto, but, for tonight, the good guys won.  Tomorrow there is work to do.

Fourth Report:

The vote advances to another “reading” tomorrow. Some representative indicated intent to introduce new amendments, and the Judiciary Committee needs to review the amendments and vote as to whether they are “friendly” or “unfriendly”. The house then votes on any new amendments, and then votes again on the final, fully amended bill.

Sorry to run out so quickly before. Space was really crowded in the gallery and most spectators up and left right after the vote (even though the house was still doing business), so I had to pack up or get run over.

A few last thoughts before I go to bed:

Although it was bittersweet not to hit the “veto proof” sweet spot on the first vote, I am heartened for several reasons. First, a lot of representatives really seemed on the fence. Many who voted no in the roll call reserved the right to explain their vote, and the explanation involved apologies. One representative was openly crying as he voted no. Another explained that, as a historian, he really feared he was on the wrong side of history, but he was sent to represent his constituents, and the letters/contact from his district leaned heavily toward the opposition. Several said that they had close friends, family, etc. who were gay and that they were really torn in a lot of directions on this vote.

Second, Vermonters are cantankerous by nature, including Vermont politicians. If the Governor vetos, I would not be at all surprised if some “no” votes switch sides to prove to the Governor that the legislature legislates, and that the Democratic majority has the muscle and the brass to pull off a veto override.

The other thing I was thinking about as I drove home (since we can’t all live right down the road from our statehouse, ladies…), is that I was so impressed and so heartened by the civility of the whole debate. I have so much respect for all of the representatives (except Duncan Kilmartin, R-Newport City, who was the only member to bring up the tired rhetoric about gays being a dangerous influence on kids), no matter their vote. Almost everyone seemed to keep an open mind and the debate was respectful (again, except for Kilmartin) to the very end. And I can’t stress enough how some people seemed to struggle with this decision. No matter how they came out tonight or how they’ll come out in the final vote tomorrow, or in the veto override vote (tentatively anticipated for next Tuesday, though that’s getting ahead of ourselves), I am struck and sobered by the courage of these 150 individuals to stand up in a room full of colleagues and constituents and cameras, and go on the record one way or another guided only by their consciences. How many of us have ever had to do that once, much less today, tomorrow, and (probably) again next week?

Cross posted at www.twoladiesinwaiting.com