Gay Civil Unions

Boston.com reported Connecticut became the second state in the nation yesterday to create civil unions for gays and lesbians. The move disappointed some gay-rights activists who had hoped to see the state follow Massachusetts' lead in creating same-sex marriage and angered some conservatives who said the measure was a step in the direction of gay nuptials. The legislation was approved by a wide margin in the Senate and enacted swiftly by Governor M. Jodi Rell, a Republican, late yesterday afternoon. ''I have said all along that I believe in no discrimination of any kind, and I think that this bill accomplishes that, while at the same time preserving the traditional language that a marriage is between a man and a woman," Rell said after signing the bill into law. The measure pushed Connecticut to the forefront of the debate over same-sex unions and made it the first state in the nation to enact civil unions without a court mandate. Vermont created civil unions in 2000 when the state's highest court ordered the Legislature to extend the privileges of marriage to same-sex couples.

At least it was the legislature that passed the law, rather than some unelected group of judges.

Ace blogged Connecticut Approves Civil Unions... Through Democratic Means - I'm still very much undecided on civil unions, as I just consider them marriage light or, sorry DL, a backdoor method of obtaining marriage by another name. But... I am at least very happy that this law was enacted by, get this, actual law-makers 'n stuff. What a concept.

Orrin Judd blogged If we're going to tolerate homosexuality some kind of institutionalized contractual obligation will be adopted in at least the Blue states. One like this which makes clear that it's an inferior institution is probably the best that can be hoped