Four More By 2012

Could four more New England states get marriage equality by 2012?

The group that helped legalize gay marriage in two New England states wants to do the same in the other four by the year 2012. GLAD -- which stands for Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders -- announced the campaign Tuesday, the fifth anniversary of the key court decision legalizing gay marriage in Massachusetts. GLAD also backed the case that led Connecticut to start allowing gay couples to marry this month. Executive Director Lee Swislow says that by using know-how and experience from those fights, it wants to bring around Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Rhode Island by 2012. GLAD says it will work in the courts and with groups that support gay marriage in each of those states.

In 2000, Vermont was the first state to offer civil unions. New Hampshire followed in 2007.