In this Feb. 6, 2009, file photo, Euan Bear of Bakersfield, Vt. , holds a sign during a gathering of gay marriage supporters in Montpelier, Vt. Vermont was the first state in the nation to outlaw slavery. Neighboring New Hampshire declared its independence from England before any other colony. Maine led the way with prohibition. But these days, Yankee activism has another cause _ gay rights. AP Photo logo AP Photo 10 months ago

In this Feb. 6, 2009, file photo, Euan Bear of Bakersfield, Vt. , holds a sign during a gathering of gay marriage supporters in Montpelier, Vt. Vermont was the first state in the nation to outlaw slavery. Neighboring New Hampshire declared its independence from England before any other colony. Maine led the way with prohibition. But these days, Yankee activism has another cause _ gay rights.

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  1. Mexico City's Mayor Marcelo Ebrard listens to journalists during a news conference in Mexico City, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010. Ebrard declared that he will fight against Mexican federal prosecutors who announced a day earlier that they will try to overturn Mexico City's gay marriage law, which allows same-sex couples to adopt children, on the grounds it violates the constitution.
  2. Mexico City's Mayor Marcelo Ebrard listens to journalists during a news conference in Mexico City, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010. Ebrard declared that he will fight against Mexican federal prosecutors who announced a day earlier that they will try to overturn Mexico City's gay marriage law, which allows same-sex couples to adopt children, on the grounds it violates the constitution.
  3. Mexico City's Mayor Marcelo Ebrard, right, speaks during a news conference in Mexico City, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010. Ebrard declared that he will fight against Mexican federal prosecutors who announced a day earlier that they will try to overturn Mexico City's gay marriage law, which allows same-sex couples to adopt children, on the grounds it violates the constitution.
  4. Mexico City's Mayor Marcelo Ebrard leaves the news room at City Hall after a news conference in Mexico City, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010. Ebrard declared that he will fight against Mexican federal prosecutors who announced a day earlier that they will try to overturn Mexico City's gay marriage law, which allows same-sex couples to adopt children, on the grounds it violates the constitution.
  5. Mexico City's Mayor Marcelo Ebrard leaves the news room at City Hall after a news conference in Mexico City, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010. Ebrard declared that he will fight against Mexican federal prosecutors who announced a day earlier that they will try to overturn Mexico City's gay marriage law, which allows same-sex couples to adopt children, on the grounds it violates the constitution.
  6. Irina Fyet (R), representing lesbian couple Irina Shepitko and herself, listens to her attorney Nikolai Alexeyev (L) as she attends a hearing at Moscow City Court January 21, 2010. The lesbian couple in 2009 attempted to register for Russia's first gay marriage and, after receiving a rejection letter, brought the case into court.
  7. Irina Fyet (front), representing lesbian couple Irina Shepitko and herself, attends a hearing at Moscow City Court January 21, 2010. The lesbian couple in 2009 attempted to register for Russia's first gay marriage and, after receiving a rejection letter, brought the case into court.
  8. This undated image provided by Adam Bouska/NOH8 Campaign shows Cindy McCain, the wife of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., posing for the NOH8 campaign. NOH8 is a gay rights group challenging Proposition 8 passed by California voters in 2008 banning same sex marriage.
  9. San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, left, hugs his daughter Lisa as her wife Meaghan Yaple, right, watches after a news conference in San Francisco, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010. Sanders took the witness stand on behalf of two same-sex couples suing to overturn Proposition 8, California's voter-approved gay marriage ban.
  10. San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders speaks during a news conference in San Francisco, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010. Mayor Jerry Sanders took the witness stand on behalf of two same-sex couples suing to overturn Proposition 8, California's voter-approved gay marriage ban.
  11. San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, center, speaks at a news conference next to his daughter Lisa in San Francisco on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010. Mayor Jerry Sanders took the witness stand on behalf of two same-sex couples suing to overturn Proposition 8, California's voter-approved gay marriage ban. Lisa Sanders is married to Meaghan Yaple. At left is San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera.
  12. Andrew Pugno, lead counsel for Protectmarriage.com, speaks at news conference in San Francisco, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010. San Diego Mayor Sanders took the witness stand on behalf of two same-sex couples suing to overturn Proposition 8, California's voter-approved gay marriage ban.
  13. WASHINGTON - JANUARY 12: A religious leader speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill January 12, 2010, in Washington, DC. The Stand4MarriageDC.com Coalition held a news conference to discuss strategies in saving traditional marriage and to call on congressional members to continue to support it.
  14. WASHINGTON - JANUARY 12: U.S. Rep. Steve King (R-IA) speaks as Bishop Harry Jackson (4th L), senior pastor of Hope Christian Church and Chairman of the Stand4MarriageDC.com Coalition, listens during a news conference on Capitol Hill January 12, 2010, in Washington, DC. The coalition held a news conference to discuss strategies in saving traditional marriage and to call on congressional members to continue to support it.
  15. WASHINGTON - JANUARY 12: Along with religious leaders and other coalition members, Bishop Harry Jackson (4th L), senior pastor of Hope Christian Church and Chairman of the Stand4MarriageDC.com Coalition, listens during a news conference on Capitol Hill January 12, 2010, in Washington, DC. The coalition held a news conference to discuss strategies in saving traditional marriage and to call on congressional members to continue to support it.
  16. WASHINGTON - JANUARY 12: Husband Eugene Sheppard (L) and wife Patrice Sheppard (2nd L), both are pastors for Living Word Church in Washington, DC, hold hands as they listen to Bishop Harry Jackson (R), senior pastor of Hope Christian Church and Chairman of the Stand4MarriageDC.com Coalition, speaking during a news conference on Capitol Hill January 12, 2010, in Washington, DC. The coalition held a news conference to discuss strategies in saving traditional marriage and to call on congressional members to continue to support it.

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