Same-Sex Civil Unions Advance in Connecticut

The state House passed legislation Wednesday that would make Connecticut the second state to establish same-sex civil unions.

Addressing concerns raised by Gov. M. Jodi Rell, the House amended the bill to define marriage as being between one man and one woman. That means the Senate, which overwhelmingly approved the bill last week, would need to approve the amended version before it reaches the governor’s desk.

Vermont has approved civil unions and Massachusetts has gay marriage, but those changes came only after same-sex couples brought lawsuits.

The Connecticut bill, approved 85 to 63 by the House, would give same-sex couples all the rights and privileges of marriage, but they would not be eligible to receive marriage licenses.

Critics said they saw no difference between civil unions and marriage, but proponents emphasized that it would not affect the state’s marriage laws.

“The public policy of this state could not be clearer: Marriage is the union of one man and one woman,” said Democratic Rep. Michael Lawlor, co-chairman of the Judiciary Committee.

While some proponents said the bill was a key step toward providing civil rights for same-sex couples, others were disappointed it was amended with the marriage definition.

“In the end, they have completely accepted and put into law the second-class status of gay and lesbian families in Connecticut,” said Mary Bonauto, a Boston lawyer who led a successful fight for same-sex marriage rights in Massachusetts. “That is a very bitter pill to swallow.”

Rell, a Republican, said she would sign the amended bill if the Senate passes it.