Saturday, February 26, 2005

Another State Moves Towards Civil Unions

A Connecticut legislative committee has ok'd a recognition of civil unions to move out of the Judiciary committee and onto the main floor for further discussion. This would be the second state to move forward without judicial intervention.

Conn. lawmaker panel OKs civil union bill

Christopher Curtis, PlanetOut Network
Thursday, February 24, 2005 / 06:10 PM

A measure creating civil unions for same-sex couples in Connecticut passed a significant legislative hurdle on Wednesday with the state's judiciary committee approving the bill, 25-13.

"We have an opportunity to provide a huge step forward for equal rights," said state Sen. Andrew McDonald, a gay Democrat from Stamford, in a quote published by the Hartford Courant. McDonald noted that, unlike Vermont, Connecticut lawmakers are acting without a court order.

The measure now requires approval from the state's legislature and governor. If that happens, Connecticut will become the second U.S. state after Vermont to offer civil unions and the third state after California to offer nearly all of the rights and responsibilities of marriage to same-sex couples.

The bill faces opposition from those who believe it goes too far and those who believe it does not go far enough.


(Full Story)

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