Conn. Senate Backs Civil Unions

The state Senate has approved a landmark bill that would make Connecticut the first state to recognize civil unions between same-sex couples without being pressured by the courts.

Senators debated for nearly four hours on Wednesday before voting 27-9 in favor of the bill, which would give gay and lesbian couples many of the same rights as married couples. Vermont has approved civil unions, but only after a lawsuit by same-sex couples.

"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."

Proponents say the legislation 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.

Brian Brown, executive director of the Family Institute of Connecticut, maintained that most voters do not support civil unions or same-sex marriage, and he called the vote "a slap in the face of democracy."

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

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 were 7,400 same-sex couples in Connecticut.

Six of the Senate's 12 Republicans and 21 of the 24 Democrats voted for the bill. Six Republicans and three Democrats voted against it.

Civil union supporters said the state should be proud to voluntarily extend basic human rights to thousands of gay and lesbian couples.

"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.

About 70 people watched the debate from the Senate galleries. The crowd ranged from same-sex couples to several monks who opposed the legislation.

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.

Several Republicans who spoke in favor of the amendment said they've received hundreds of e-mails and letters in recent weeks from constituents, including many with religious ties, demanding that civil unions be defeated and that marriage be defined in statute.

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.

But state Sen. John Kissel, ranking Republican on the Judiciary Committee, said experience shows that civil unions will just be a temporary answer. Gay rights advocates have been steadily pushing for more rights for same-sex couples and he predicted the legislature 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 legislation. "Going down this road has a price to it," Kissel warned.