Connecticut Senate Passes Civil Unions Bill

[sunshine]

From www.local6.com

Connecticut Senate Passes Civil Unions Bill

Republican Governor Hasn't Taken Stand On Bill

POSTED: 12:16 am EDT April 7, 2005

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Connecticut has moved closer to becoming the latest state to recognize same-sex civil unions.

The state senate overwhelmingly approved such a bill Wednesday, and supporters say the Connecticut House may pass it as early as next week.

Gov. Jodi Rell -- a Republican -- has not taken a stand on the bill. But she said she supports the concept of civil unions.

There was a failed effort to amend the bill to define marriage as between one man and one woman. Rell favored the amendment.

A Republican state senator who voted against the bill predicted that next session, lawmakers will be debating gay marriage.

He compared the legislation to a rolling train that won't stop at the first station.

[sunshine]

Conn. Senate Approves Gay Unions Bill

by The Associated Press

Posted: April 6, 2005 9:01 pm ET

(Hartford, Connecticut) 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.

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.

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

[waccamatt]

Way to go, Connecticut!!!

[AmericanUrbanDesigner]

Way to go, Connecticut!!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

CONNECTICUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Way to go!!!!!!!!!!!

What "States' Rights" are all about!

Connecticut has always been considered a "litmus" test for what the rest of the other states could swallow...never as "out there" as the other New England states, a bastion of the "old" Republican guard...the Bush's are from Connecticut...

Their slogan should be: "Don't underestimate Connecticut"