Legislators Back Same-Sex Unions
Writing by on Thursday, 24 of February , 2005 at 2:08 pm
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February 24, 2005
By DANIELA ALTIMARI, Courant Staff Writer
Technorati Tags: Life in Bushs America, Thats GayA key legislative committee made history Wednesday by endorsing a measure that would make Connecticut the second state in the nation to adopt civil unions for same-sex couples.
After a lively two-hour debate, the judiciary committee approved the civil unions bill by a 2-1 ratio in a largely bipartisan vote.
The proposal needs the approval of the full House and Senate and Gov. M. Jodi Rell to become law. But if that happens - and several lawmakers predicted it would - Connecticut would join Vermont as the only other state to extend nearly all of the rights and responsibilities of marriage to gay and lesbian couples.
“We have an opportunity to provide a huge step forward for equal rights,” said state Sen. Andrew McDonald, a Democrat from Stamford and co-chairman of the committee. McDonald, one of several gay legislators in Connecticut, noted that unlike Vermont, Connecticut lawmakers are acting without a court order.
The bill, approved on a 25-13 vote, faced opposition on two fronts: those who said it went too far and those who argued it did not go far enough.
In a controversial move, the influential gay rights coalition that has been leading the call for same-sex marriage has been lobbying against the civil union proposal.
Anne Stanback, president of Love Makes a Family, said she was gratified by the tenor of Wednesday’s debate and by the overwhelming defeat of two other proposals to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman. But in her view, she said, civil unions are an unacceptable compromise she intends to vigorously oppose.
Several lawmakers contrasted Love Makes a Family’s all-or-nothing approach with the incremental pace of social change.
“That’s how we do things up here, we take things one step at a time,” said Rep. Themis Klarides, a Republican from Derby who supports civil unions. “Is [this measure] 100 percent equality? Maybe not. But it’s certainly something we should all be very excited about.”
One member of the judiciary committee is standing by Love Makes a Family. State Sen. Mary Ann Handley, a Democrat from Manchester who voted against the proposal, said she could not in good conscience support civil unions, which she branded as “marriage lite.”
“I’m not voting against [civil unions] because I don’t support gay marriage,” Handley said, “but because I support it so strongly. … I truly believe what we are doing here is not adequate.”
Civil unions offer same-sex couples most of the rights and responsibilities of marriage, but are not recognized by most other states or the federal government. Such legal partnerships would permit couples to file joint state tax returns, qualify for a partner’s health insurance and inherit a partner’s property without paying taxes.
The rights of same-sex couples could also be influenced by Connecticut’s courts. Last August, seven gay and lesbian couples from around the state sued in Superior Court in New Haven after being denied marriage licenses.
Last May, Massachusetts became the first state in the nation to legalize gay marriage following a successful legal challenge.
Marie T. Hilliard, a lobbyist for the Connecticut Catholic Conference, said she intends to oppose the civil union proposal, which she referred to as “marriage by another name.”
Sen. David Cappiello, a Danbury Republican, said he was still struggling with the civil union concept.
“I’m not ready to support civil unions, particularly if we’re going to be criticized by both sides,” he said. Cappiello ultimately voted against the bill, but said it was possible he could change his mind.
Many of the other legislators who voted against the measure said they fear it would lead to gay marriage. “I’m going to be very honest,” said Republican Sen. John Kissel of Enfield, “I think this is one more step toward marriage.”
Supporters didn’t disagree.
“If [civil unions] are what we can do … I say OK,” said Rep. Toni Walker, a Democrat from New Haven. “But I really wish and hope that this is not the end of this subject.”
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Comment by Anonymous
Made Friday, 25 of February , 2005 at 4:28 pm
Connecticut Judiciary Committee May Influence College DecisionI’
Connecticut Judiciary Committee May Influence College Decision
I’m beginning to dread the thought of having to decide which college to attend. April is quickly approaching, and at that point I’m going to be stuck deciding between admissions offers from any of the eleven schools I’ve applied for…
