Vermont senate committee approves gay marriage bill

A Vermont senate committee has unanimously approved a bill to allow gay marriage in the state.

The news comes after a week of hearings on the issue, including a public debate on Wednesday.

It is expected that the full senate will take up the bill next week.

If approved, Vermont will join Massachusetts and Connecticut as the only US states that allow gay marriage.

In 2000, the state became the first in the US to introduce civil unions.