71.   The Republican challenger is Ruth Dwyer, a staunch opponent of civil unions.

72.   The two men support civil unions while Dwyer opposes them.

73.   They entered into a civil union in Vermont last summer.

74.   They tend to be paired with signs backing Ruth Dwyer, a Republican candidate for governor, who opposes civil unions.

75.   This is the first case to have another state recognize a Vermont civil union.

76.   Though it is now rarely used for regular services, Christ Church has been the site of a number of civil unions.

77.   Though it will be the ninth civil union he has performed, this will be the first time he holds the ceremony in his church.

78.   Thus far, no state has recognized same-sex civil unions in Vermont as marriages.

79.   To them, the civil unions bill is not a compromise but a virtual legalization of gay marriage.

80.   Until now, he has said he supported civil unions, but feared that gay marriage would cause a backlash that could jeopardize gay rights.