Connecticut Senate To Pass Civil Union Bill?
As other states pass constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriage, Connecticut lawmakers are moving closer toward voluntarily allowing gay and lesbian couples to enter state-recognized civil unions.
The Democrat-controlled Senate is scheduled to vote today on a bill that would make Connecticut the first state to recognize civil between same-sex couples without needing intervention from the courts to do so.
"Our responsibility as a state is to have laws that ensure the well-being of each of our citizens," said Rev. Davida Foy Crabtree, conference minister for Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ. She hopes the state will eventually allow same-sex marriage.
Proponents said Tuesday they have enough votes to pass the civil unions bill. They also believe they have enough support in the House, also controlled by Democrats.
But opponents, including the Catholic Church, believe there is still time to scuttle the bill or possibly amend it with language defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman. And if the bill passes both chambers, opponents vowed to pressure Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell to veto the legislation.
"The legislators have not yet heard from the people. They're not listening," said Brian Brown, executive director of the Family Institute of Connecticut. He and other opponents claim there is little to no difference between civil unions and same-sex marriage, and that most polls show that the majority of Americans oppose allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry.
"Connecticut, we're the ones that are doing something far, far different than the rest of the United States," he said. "The momentum is going in the other direction."
Voters in Kansas went to the polls Tuesday to decide whether to approve a constitutional amendment prohibiting gay marriage. If approved, Kansas would become the 18th state with such a prohibition in its constitution; 13 others approved bans just last year. Alabama, South Dakota and Tennessee plan elections next year on constitutional bans, and proposals are pending in 13 other states, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Vermont is the only state that recognizes civil unions, while Massachusetts allows same-sex couples to marry.
Rell has said she supports the concept of civil unions. However, she has not taken a stand on the bill, which extends all rights and privileges of marriage to same-sex couples but without an actual marriage license.
Rell also wants the bill to include language that defines "marriage" in Connecticut as the legal union between one man and one woman, as husband and wife.
Betty Gallo, a lobbyist for the American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut, said she doesn't believe there is enough support in the House or Senate to amend the bill with such language. Also, she questions why lawmakers would take such a step.
"It is not a mystery in this state as to who can and cannot marry," Gallo said.
Civil union opponents are also expected Wednesday to try and amend the bill with language requiring a nonbinding public referendum on the issue. Senate Minority Leader Louis DeLuca, R-Woodbury, said there are no plans to push for an amendment to Connecticut's constitution because the process could take several years.
The Democrat-controlled Senate is scheduled to vote today on a bill that would make Connecticut the first state to recognize civil between same-sex couples without needing intervention from the courts to do so.
"Our responsibility as a state is to have laws that ensure the well-being of each of our citizens," said Rev. Davida Foy Crabtree, conference minister for Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ. She hopes the state will eventually allow same-sex marriage.
Proponents said Tuesday they have enough votes to pass the civil unions bill. They also believe they have enough support in the House, also controlled by Democrats.
But opponents, including the Catholic Church, believe there is still time to scuttle the bill or possibly amend it with language defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman. And if the bill passes both chambers, opponents vowed to pressure Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell to veto the legislation.
"The legislators have not yet heard from the people. They're not listening," said Brian Brown, executive director of the Family Institute of Connecticut. He and other opponents claim there is little to no difference between civil unions and same-sex marriage, and that most polls show that the majority of Americans oppose allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry.
"Connecticut, we're the ones that are doing something far, far different than the rest of the United States," he said. "The momentum is going in the other direction."
Voters in Kansas went to the polls Tuesday to decide whether to approve a constitutional amendment prohibiting gay marriage. If approved, Kansas would become the 18th state with such a prohibition in its constitution; 13 others approved bans just last year. Alabama, South Dakota and Tennessee plan elections next year on constitutional bans, and proposals are pending in 13 other states, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Vermont is the only state that recognizes civil unions, while Massachusetts allows same-sex couples to marry.
Rell has said she supports the concept of civil unions. However, she has not taken a stand on the bill, which extends all rights and privileges of marriage to same-sex couples but without an actual marriage license.
Rell also wants the bill to include language that defines "marriage" in Connecticut as the legal union between one man and one woman, as husband and wife.
Betty Gallo, a lobbyist for the American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut, said she doesn't believe there is enough support in the House or Senate to amend the bill with such language. Also, she questions why lawmakers would take such a step.
"It is not a mystery in this state as to who can and cannot marry," Gallo said.
Civil union opponents are also expected Wednesday to try and amend the bill with language requiring a nonbinding public referendum on the issue. Senate Minority Leader Louis DeLuca, R-Woodbury, said there are no plans to push for an amendment to Connecticut's constitution because the process could take several years.
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, April 06, 2005 at 9:09 AM.
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ByMy only comment is that I still fall short of understanding what our rights will actually be.Will someone please spell them out for all to see? Thank you.
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Are you from Connecticut?
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