Same-sex marriages are now legal in Vermont.

The new law recognizing homosexual marriages took effect Tuesday in the Green Mountain State. Some gay couples, who had obtained civil unions earlier in Vermont, say they plan to return to the state to get married.

So far, there has been no rush. City and town officials report only a handful of licenses have been issued.

Vermont became the first state last April to legalize gay marriage through a legislative decree and not a court case.

Vermont is one of five states that now allows same-sex couples to marry. The other states include Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Iowa.