The state Senate on Wednesday approved a bill that would make Connecticut the first state, absent court pressure, to recognize civil unions between same-sex couples.

Senators voted 27-9 in favor of the legislation, which proponents say will likely clear the House of Representatives, possibly as early as next week. Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell has not taken a stand on the bill, but has said she supports the concept of civil unions.

"I believe that our most precious and important job is to make sure the rights of all our citizens are protected where they exist and expanded where they don't exist," said Democratic Sen. Mary Ann Handley, who is part of a group of legislators who plan to press for gay marriage in Connecticut.

An effort failed to amend the bill to define marriage as being between one man and one woman. Rell said she would prefer the marriage definition was in the legislation, but would not say she would veto the bill if it weren't.

"We stand today before a portal to history," said Democratic Sen. Andrew McDonald, one of a handful of openly gay lawmakers. "I ask you to pass through it."

Republican Sen. John Kissel predicted lawmakers will be debating gay marriage next session. "It's hard to believe that the train, as it rolls down the tracks, is going to stop at this station," said Kissel, who voted against the bill.

The vote came a day after Kansas became the 18th state to pass a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. Thirteen other states passed such prohibitions last year, while Alabama, South Dakota and Tennessee plan elections next year on constitutional bans.

Gay rights proponents originally hoped to pass a bill similar to the Massachusetts law that allows same-sex couples to marry. But legislative leaders determined there was more political support this session for Vermont-style civil unions, which extend the same rights and privileges of marriage, but without the marriage license. In Vermont, civil unions were approved after a lawsuit by same-sex couples.

According to the 2000 census, there are 7,400 same-sex couples in Connecticut.

Anne Stanback, president of Love Makes a Family and an advocate for same-sex marriage, said though she wished the vote would have resolved the issue of gay marriage, she was pleased with the outcome.

"I'm very proud to live in Connecticut today," she said.

Brian Brown, executive director of the Family Institute of Connecticut, called the vote "a slap in the face of democracy." (for some reason I thought the legislature was a part of our democracy? Am I wrong?)

"This is same-sex marriage by a different name," he said.

This entry was posted on Friday, April 08, 2005 at 9:25 AM. Want to discuss? Leave a comment below.