Connecticut legalizes civil unions for gay couples

HARTFORD, Conn - Connecticut today became the first US state to legalize civil unions for gay couples without the prodding of a court, following an overwhelming approval of the state legislature and a prompt signature by Gov. Jodi Rell.

The State Senate voted 26-8 in favor of establishing civil unions giving same-sex couples all of the rights afforded married couples under state law, such as inheritance and hospital visitation. The bill does not affect any federal rights, such as the filing of federal income taxes.

Rell, a Republican, signed the civil unions bill into law shortly after the vote. The law takes effect on Oct. 1.

"I have said all along that I believe in no discrimination of any kind," Rell said. "And I think that this bill accomplishes that, while at the same time preserving the traditional language that marriage is between a man and a woman."

Rell only agreed to support the legislation after lawmakers approved an amendment she had asked for that defines marriage as the union between a man and a woman. It also restricts civil unions to same sex couples over the age of 18.

Two other US states, Hawaii and Vermont, approved civil unions only after courts ordered the change, citing inequity in the medical and financial benefits available to married couples but not to couples of the same sex.

One other state, Massachusetts, permitted gays to marry in 2004 after its highest court ruled that limiting marriage to heterosexual couples violated the state's constitution.

Since then, 11 other US states have passed constitutional amendments to ban gay marriage and President Bush has called for an amendment to the federal constitution that would limit marriage to a man and a woman.

The vote ended an emotional debate in the legislature that stretched over two weeks.

Gay rights advocates are hailing the change while religious and conservative groups are vowing to fight it.

"It's a great day. Significant rights have been granted to same-sex couples. It's a day to celebrate," said Anne Stanback, president of the pro-civil unions group Loves Makes a Family.

Stanback cautioned that gay rights groups are not fully satisfied. "This is not equality. We still have a final step to gain the full rights of marriage," she said.

Religious and conservative groups, who brought hundreds of their supporters to the legislature, derided approval of civil unions and vowed revenge on lawmakers who backed it.

- REUTERS