Breaking: Connecticut Senate Approves Civil Union Bill (OVERWHELMINGLY)!!

[ruggerson]

http://www.wtnh.com/Global/story.asp?S=3172920&nav=3YeXYKlG

Conn. DU'ers: Congratulations! On to the House and then the Governor.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Hartford-WTNH, Apr. 6, 2005 Updated 6:20 PM ) _ A bill that would give same-sex couples many of the same rights as married couples has passed the State Senate.

The vote was 27-to-nine in favor of the bill, which is also expected to clear the House.

A House vote has not yet been scheduled.

by Chief Capitol Correspondent Mark Davis
The vote comes after a heated debate between lawmakers on this issue.

It was Senator Andrew McDonald of Stamford, the only openly gay member of the state senate, who introduced the bill calling it a portal to history.

"And I ask you to pass through it and lead Connecticut in it's legacy of protecting equal rights for all of her citizens," says Sen. Andrew McDonald, (D) Stamford.

But McDonald riled opponents by inferring that their opposition was motivated by bigotry.

"It is not fear that is the biggest threat to those in our state who are in same-sex relationships, it's bigotry and hatred."

"Raise your hands right now if you think my motivation in opposing this legislation is motivated by bigotry or hatred?" says Sen. John Kissel, (R) Enfield.

It was only a rhetorical question but made the point that such borderline personal attack was out of order in the state senate.

"I think an equally justified argument can be made that this is the very last step towards same-sex marriage."


Gov. Rell has said she supports civil unions, but she also wants language that states marriage is between a woman and a man.

If this bill passes, Connecticut would become the first state to recognize civil unions between same-sex couples without court intervention.

[saltpoint]

1. Great, Connecticut. A good step forward.

Now do what you can to dump Lieberman.

[HockeyMom]

4. Ok New York WHAT ARE WE DOING?

We now have Domestic Partnerships in NJ and Civil Unions in Ct. What have we done other than rejecting DOMA 4 times? NOTHING. Patakai and the State Legislature runs as far and as fast as they possibly can from this. Guess we will have to wait for Spitzer as Governor?

[saltpoint]

7. Hi, HockeyMom. I'm hearing from close pals in NYC --

-- that Governor Pataki's poll numbers are dropping like a rock.

I hope that's so. Spitzer will be a huge improvement.

I used to live in NYC so I keep trying to follow the trends there. You live in an exciting state, I think. I'm a little jealous.

[ruggerson]

9. Hey HM

You might find this interesting. One wonders, since the rightwing trumpets the "will of the people", why aren't they moving to support same sex marriage in NY state, since it's apparently the "will of the people. :)

Poll: New Yorkers' support grows for marriage equality

New York City, April 6 – Support in the state of New York for marriage
for same-sex couples increased over the past year according to a poll
conducted by Global Strategy Group for Empire State Pride Agenda, the
state’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights
organization. The poll found that 51 percent of New Yorkers support
marriage for same-sex couples while 42 percent do not. A similar Global
Strategy Group poll conducted for the Pride Agenda last year in March
2004 found 47 percent in support of marriage and 46 percent opposed.

[Redstone]

21. No, you can't elect Spitzer as Governor!!!

We need him to run for Vice-President with Richard Blumenthal in 2008.

Redstone

[connecticut yankee]

35. Hey -- we're trying

but Joe has a very high approval rating (70% -- why, I don't know) and the State Central Committee loves him because he brings in lots of dough.

We need someone great to run against him in the primary, and no one who's politically ambitious is willing to do that.

Anyhow, I'm very proud of my State Senate for doing this. The House will probably pass it, too. It has a Dem majority.

[saltpoint]

39. Yes, it's damned good news. Some encouragement --

-- for progressives amid all the fake news and outright lying by the Bush administration.

Way to go, you guys!

[babylonsister]

2. That's great news! Equal rights should be the primary focus;

now if everyone else could just figure that out!

[AnnInLa]

3. Hate to be so ignorant about this issue, but

can someone explain the legal difference between a marriage and a civil union? Is a civil union a legal union? Does it permit "divorce" or some dissolution? Thanks.

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

16. CU vs Marriage

My opinion (as a single hetero non-religious loner who has no stake in this at all) I don't see much of a difference between a civil union between a same sex couple and what happens when a hetero couple goes to town hall and ties the knot. True, for a gay couple who are religious, they are being excluded from something hetero couples can have. But I think allowing civil unions is a huge step in the right direction and I'm glad to see that we are moving in that direction

[ruggerson]

17. I totally agree

Plus, since many churches will marry gay couples, why not push for civil unions when they give ALL the rights and obligations of marriage (as this one does) and then, if you so choose, get married in the church of your choice?

Only thing is that Congress would have to pass a Federal Civil Unions bill in order to make things really equitable, since states have no control over Federal taxation and social security and federal estate laws, etc.

I've always wondered why the Dems don't call Bush on his reiterated support of civil unions and say, ok, we'll meet you half way, let's get a national Civil Unions Bill done. This would stick the wedge right back at Bush, as about 2/3's of the country supports civil unions.

I dont' understand Dem politicians, I really don't. So many opportunities to play hardball right back at the Repubs and they don't do it.

[AnnInLa]

18. So, it's a legal union, not just a shack-up?

Thanks for the explanation...I think it's progress, too, very welcome progress. Thank goodness for Connecticut, Massachusettes, Vermont and New York.

Thanks again from another single-again, hetero, non-religious loner!

[wryter2000]

28. I wonder

There are churches that support GLBT folks. Can't a same sex couple get a civil union and then have a religious celebration in a sympathetic house or worship?

When you get right down to it, maybe that's what we should all be doing. That would get around the silly "definition of marriage" BS.

However, did the article say "many of the same rights" as hetero couples? That doesn't sound like a solution, even if it is a big step in the right direction.

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

29. I agree with you

This is the resolution to the issue, in my opinion FWIW

Let those religions that choose to bless these unions do so. Let those who object to them not bless them. Too simple and logical I guess.

[JerseygirlCT]

36. I don't think most supporters think of it as a solution

just a step on the way. There's still plenty of resistance to marriage, though CUs ought to pass. There was talk for a while about an all-or-nothing gambit, where the supporters of gay marriage would hold out for the real thing. But I think most have realized that once CUs are commonplace, and Jane and Joe Sixpack realize that Bruce and Greg down the street are just nice neighbors, and the Sixpack marriage hasn't been horribly threatened by them, marriage will be the next step.

It's going to take a little time, I suspect. But I'm absolutely convinced it will be a reality -- and faster than many on the right think.

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

38. You are right

I was oversimplifying. This article on the CA domestic partners law shed some more light on this topic for me. I agree with you that it will take time. I think the CT law is a good step in the right direction

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/04/05/BAGM6C39O91.DTL

<snip>Partners lack some of the benefits extended to husbands and wives -- the right to file joint tax returns or qualify as spouses under a broad array of federal programs, including Social Security and Medicare -- and may be unable to get other states to recognize their relationships, the court said.<snip>

[Imalittleteapot]

5. If I live long enough to be able to afford to move out of Texas,

I'm going to go to Connecticut. This decision is great news for ALL people of CT. I hope other states follow their lead, but I don't expect Texas to come around for a couple of centuries.

[Merope215]

8. It's a fun state

I go to college here. It's really lovely, and a breath of fresh, 100% blue air, especially in contrast to my house in Georgia. :hi:

I'm so excited about this bill! :bounce:

[Imalittleteapot]

13. I'm going for a visit in July. Can't wait. I love it up there. What

college? What town?

[NewJeffCT]

33. make sure you compare housing costs

CT generally has some of the highest in the country, and we have high property & gas taxes. But, no tolls on any of our roads... and the public schools are generally among the best in the nation (even though we have some of the poorest cities whose schools need work...)

One good thing is that you're close to NYC and to Boston and even most of the Republicans are fairly moderate pro-choice types - our Republican governor proposed money for stem-cell research in her latest budget.

[ozone_man]

6. Congrats from Vermont.

Looks like you did us one better.

If this bill passes, Connecticut would become the first state to recognize civil unions between same-sex couples without court intervention.

[UCLA Dem]

32. And they're really kicking our butts in CA...

Don't worry though folks, us westcoasters will catch up! First we need get a certain austrian out of office though.:mad:

[proud patriot]

10. Fabulous

:D

[Mr.Green93]

11. In your face fundies

Another defeat.

[Amaya]

12. Very Good!!

:bounce:

[brettdale]

14. well done

Very Cool!

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

15. Wonderful!

Proud to be a Connecticut resident today!

[jmcon007]

19. Oh, no! My God!

This is the first step toward actually recognizing that two adults love each other and should be accorded the same civil rights as, uh.....other adults who love each other! What is our country coming to?!
Actually, maybe we are beginning to take baby steps after so many generations have passed toward the idea that being created equal, with certain inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is a little more than just a catchy string of words for politicians to throw out of July 4th. It's the very foundation of our country.
No, I'm not gay. I'm ashamed to say, but when I was fifteen and attending a school in a small, all-white town I actually believed that all gays lived in San Francisco! How hopelessly ignorant.
Little did I know at the time that one of my close friends in school was gay. I didn't learn this until about 10 years ago, when I was 45.
I look back with grief that none of us knew the hell he must have gone through....the confusion, the fear.....
I had no "choice" in the matter of being straight or gay. I'm straight. Republicans like to say that people are gay by choice, which insinuates, of course, that at some point in their lives they felt the tug both ways and had to make a choice themselves. Well, I've got news for them. This declaration only proves that they are closet bi-sexuals and it's time for them to come out.

[Redstone]

20. Curses, foiled again!

I thought I'd finally had a chance to post in LBN, but you beat me to it.

Through the Rowland years, it was hard to be proud of Connecticut. But I sure am now.

Hooray for us!

Redstone

[Sgent]

22. This bill sucks

<sarcasm>

This is horrible. We shouldn't support this monstrosity of the bill. Its marrige or nothing. That gay legislature should be thrown out on his arse for betraying gay rights. Damn log cabin repugs. We should have marrige -- screw the fact that it can't pass.

</sarcasm>

Congrats CT, I don't think I'll ever see this (voluntarily) in my state, but we can hope.

[IronLionZion]

42. YEARGH!!!

<sarcasm>
yeah, who do they think they are? Legalizing civil unions when it's much more fun to push for gay marriage and get people so royally pissed that our leaders won't pass it AND gets fundies out in full force to re-elect Bush! The nerve of these Connecticut leaders! How dare they give CIVIL rights to gays! What we need here is lots of anger and NO RIGHTS AT ALL!!!
</sarcasm>
:sarcasm:
:rant:

that was fun

If you haven't noticed, I'm a big supporter of civil unions, the same position as our fearless DNC chairman.

[renaissanceguy]

23. Call your state legislators!!!

This can happen in other states! Start writing and calling!!!! Let's beat them at their own game.


http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues.20383992

[w4rma]

24. I'm impressed by Connecticut, today. (nt)

[ruggerson]

25. NY Times Story On The Vote

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/07/nyregion/07hartford.html


<snip>

Senate Passes Civil Unions for Gays in Connecticut
By WILLIAM YARDLEY

Published: April 7, 2005


ARTFORD, April 6 - The State Senate on Wednesday passed a measure to allow civil unions between same-sex couples, setting the stage for Connecticut's Democratic-controlled Legislature to become the first in the country to approve civil unions without pressure from the courts.

The House is expected to approve the measure as early as next week, and Gov. M. Jodi Rell, a Republican, has said she supports the concept.

Connecticut would become the second state, after Vermont, to allow civil unions, which give gay couples many of the same rights married couples have. Massachusetts last year began allowing same-sex couples to marry. Vermont and Massachusetts changed their policies after courts found that gays were being denied constitutional rights. California has a broad domestic partnership law that also provides many benefits of marriage to gay couples.

A relatively muted four-hour debate and the ease with which the Senate passed the measure by a 3-to-1 ratio came a day after voters in Kansas banned gay marriage and civil unions, joining 13 states that voted last year to ban gay marriage. Several lawmakers and gay activists said the process in Connecticut, while opposing that trend, reflected a natural evolution in a state with a two-decade history of expanding rights for gays.

<snip>

[adigal]

34. And how are we blue states and red states

supposed to come together as one again??? The values that the blue states hold are so diametrically opposed to those to the majority in the red states that we are like 2 different countries.

How do we hold this together?

[burn the bush]

26. wow, great score!

WE the people includes ALL the people. WE, the people have the right to pursue happiness. With all the negative fundie crap happening with g/l, it's nice to see this big win.

[0rganism]

27. WTF kind of bullshit reporting is this?

"It was only a rhetorical question but made the point that such borderline personal attack was out of order in the state senate."

See if you can spot the editorial slant phrases forcibly injected into what is nominally a news story. And this isn't even the local FOX affilliate!

Oh yes, the website's banner ad? "Southern Christian University/Where Tradition and Online Education Merge". Fancy that. Quite a coinkydink.

I don't have any epithets strong enough to express my outrage at the state of American "journalism" anymore.

[renaissanceguy]

31. Good call. Of course they won't point out

that attacking gays is a very personal thing.


http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues.20383992

[JerseygirlCT]

37. The Courant has gone steeply downhill since the Tribune

bought them.

[UCLA Dem]

30. Thats so wonderful!!! Go CT!!!

:woohoo:

[katty]

40. Go Connecticut!

[sadiesworld]

41. Well done!

:toast:

[Hekate]

43. State by state and city by city. Hallelujah and blessed be

This kind of noble action is what "states' rights" should be about -- all the things that enhance our quality of life and make it worth living.

Just let there be more love in the world, more kindness. Other couples' committed relationships in no way threaten my conventional hetero marriage; instead I think they go toward making my community a better, more stable place to be.

I cried when my state, California, passed that stupid definition of marriage proposition some years back. PBS ran a show with some gay men's chorus while the votes were being counted -- all that beautiful music, all the humor (my favorite is probably "Mr. Sandman Send Me a Dream"), and all those fearful people out there pretending it will just go away if everyone would simply go back in the closet and shut the door real tight.

Well, California will come around too. Absolutely.

Hekate

[sellitman]

44. Excellent news!

It's about time the rest of the citizens of the blue states push their legislatures to follow.

The air really is bluer in CT!!!!