Talk of Connecticut Civil Union Bill Next Legislative Session

Anything is better than what we have now. The glass is completely empty right now, so if we got even a modest civil union bill in Connecticut, it would be better than what we have now.

I also believe what is prompting the legislators to act is the pending lawsuits that the state is facing. They don’t want to be caught by the courts doing nothing to address this issue of gross inequality, as Massachusetts was.

On Election Day, voters in 11 states approved constitutional bans on gay marriage. But when the Connecticut legislature meets in January, the state may buck the national trend.

Democrats hold strong majorities in both houses of the legislature. The party’s leaders favor some sort of civil unions which would grant same-sex couples many of the same rights as married heterosexual couples. [...]

Rep. Robert Godfrey, D-Danbury, and other lawmakers say it is almost inevitable that a gay union measure will become law in the 2005 session of General Assembly.

“Connecticut may be the first state in the nation where the legislature cobbles something together,” said Godfrey, the chairman of the screening committee that decides which bills go to the House floor. “I have yet to meet a colleague that says it will not happen. There will be a resolution this year.” [...]

Rep. Michael Lawlor, D-East Haven, is a prime proponent of a gay marriage law. He is also a co-chairman of the Judiciary Committee, through which a bill would have to pass.

“The vast majority of legislators believe gay marriage is inevitable,” he said. “The main argument is really when and if it’s too much too soon.”

Lawlor said he has not yet decided whether he will introduce a bill for full marriage rights, or for civil unions. But he believes a civil unions measure would almost certainly pass.

“If civil unions can pass, then you have to ask, ‘Why not marriage?’”, Lawlor said. “I don't know what opponents will say when it’s not activist judges, but the legislature doing it.” (source)