Connecticut Legalizes Civil Unions for Same-Sex Couples

April 21, 2005

"Same-sex couples in Connecticut have gained access to important benefits that will help protect, nurture and provide for their families," said NOW Action Vice President Olga Vives. "At the same time, the sharp tools of discrimination and exclusion were used to deny those couples justice and equality under the law."

On Wednesday, the Connecticut legislature voted 26 to 8 to make civil unions legal for same-sex couples. Civil unions carry the rights and privileges of marriage at the state level, but not at the federal level. "This is simply a down payment in the struggle for full marriage equality," said Vives. "Only full marriage equality will give all Connecticut families the respect, dignity and security they need and deserve. Equally important, they deserve to have the same rights, responsibilities and benefits that heterosexual married couples rely on for the health and safety of their families."

The law, already signed by Gov. M. Jodi Rell and taking effect Oct. 1, includes a discriminatory amendment that defines marriage as being between a man and a woman.

"NOW is committed to ending the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage because all people and their families deserve the full range of benefits that only marriage can provide," said Vives. "We will continue to support the many activists in Connecticut, including Connecticut NOW and Love Makes a Family, who are leading the way in moving this national civil rights conversation in the direction of full marriage equality. Together, we will move the country toward fairness and justice for all."

###

Sign up to receive press releases by email.