Vermont became the fourth state to legalize same-sex marriage Tuesday, just days after Iowa became the third.’ Activists said they hope these decisions pave the way for other states to follow. The Vermont State Legislature voted to override Gov. Jim Douglass’s veto of a bill that will legalize same-sex marriage Tuesday. Iowa’s State Supreme Court also legalized same-sex marriage Friday, making Iowa the first state in the Midwest to take the action. They join Connecticut and Massachusetts, the first state to legalize same-sex marriage in 2004, as states that have legalized gay marriage. California’s Supreme Court legalized gay marriage in July, but was overridden in November by Proposition 8. Gay marriage is banned in 29 states. Groups across New England said they had been hopeful that the members of the Vermont legislature would override the governor’s veto to continue legalization of gay marriage in New England. Massachusetts Lesbian and Gay Bar Association, a group of attorneys that works to bring attention to GLBT issues, is pursuing a goal of having gay marriage legalized in all six New England states by 2012, co-chairwoman Jane Rothchild said. The fact that Vermont’s decision is the first of its kind by a legislature, and that Iowa’s Supreme Court ruling was unanimous, shows even greater progress Rothchild said. Connecticut and Massachusetts were both decided with 4-to- 3 decisions by rulings similar to Iowa’s. Betsy Smith, executive director of Equality Maine, a group that works to secure full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual members in Maine, said the progression of acceptance is important. ‘It sends an important message,’ she said. ‘Iowa’s 7-0 decision [shows that] the case is closed. It’s definitive.’ Smith said she hopes Maine will be able to pass similar legislation by the end of 2009. ‘We’re counting on Vermont,’ Smith said. ‘You don’t have to be the first one. It’s easier not to be.’ Boston University students shared Smith’s sentiments and said the events in Vermont and Iowa made them optimistic about the future of gay marriages. ‘I think anyone should have the right to marry whoever they want,’ College of Communication senior Brittany Macwright said. ‘[Otherwise] it’s like an arranged marriage. You can’t tell someone who to love.’ College of Arts and Sciences sophomore Tyler McGuire was pleased and surprised by Iowa’s decision. ‘It’s great and I’m thrilled,’ McGuire said. McGuire said although he was hopeful that same sex marriage would become legal in more places, he said it was not likely to happen so soon after California’s decision to outlaw it. ‘I guess California was just a huge setback to the entire country,’ he said. Devon Maloney, a COM sophomore and California native, said she agrees with McGuire and hopes Iowa and Vermont’s decisions will influence her home state. ‘I’m really angry because my supposedly liberal state is behind the curve,’ she said. ‘I’m glad other states are setting the bar.’ She said she thought California and others would legalize gay marriage now. ‘If Iowa can do it, most states can,’ Maloney said. Marsh Associate for LGBTQ Students Tyler Sit said because Iowa and Vermont are not necessarily well-known for having prominent gay communities, these decisions will have an even greater impact. ‘As far as the effect this will have on the America psyche and how they approach same-sex unions, Iowa, which people view as mainly agrarian state is accepting this and they’re doing fine, so hopefully this will speak to other states and other people,’ Sit, a College of Communication sophomore, said. Sit said he hopes the momentum from these decisions spreads to other states. ‘I think that this is monumental not only for what has literally happened, but also for the symbolism, for the momentum that this carries,’ he said.