Wow, could the world have gone more topsy-turvey or what?

First Iowa, and then Vermont legalized same-sex marriage. Vermont being the first U.S. state to do so by their legislature. Hopefully New York will be the second. New Hampshire is also considering a bill to legalize marriage. Let’s not forget that D.C. voted to recognize marriages performed elsewhere.

So what changed?

What changed between Proposition 8 in California, and the ruling in Iowa? What happened in Vermont that lead to them not only passing a bill to legalize, but to also miraculously override the Governor’s veto?

Public perception changed.

The public now sees this as a human rights issue. As someone had framed it before, (I’m sorry, I forget who the source is): When you frame it as something we don’t have, the public is in favour. Framing the issue is part of the difference. The other part is the voters new attitudes, and of course greed. Gay people have money, and as I mentioned in a previous post, the public wants our money. Same-sex marriage could bring in lots of funds for gay-positive states.

And during a recession, every dollar counts.

While we might normally dislike corporate greed, in this case it works to our benefit.

“Life’s too short babe, time is flying, I’m looking for baggage that goes with mine.” – Mimi, Rent