NationStates Jolt Archive


Connecticut to Consider scrapping Civil Unions

Laerod
12-11-2008, 17:59
Which would be a logical conclusion seeing as it's like a gay diet-marriage and full gay marriages are now legal:
NEW HAVEN, Connecticut (AP) -- A judge cleared the way Wednesday for gay marriage in Connecticut, a victory for advocates stung by California's referendum that banned same-sex unions in that state.

Minutes after a judge entered a final ruling, the New Haven city clerk's office issued its first marriage license to a gay couple. It went to Barbara and Robin Levine-Ritterman of New Haven, one of the eight couples who successfully challenged a state law prohibiting gay marriage.

"It's a great day for Connecticut," Robin Levine-Ritterman said after a brief hearing in court.

Other couples planned to celebrate by immediately marching to New Haven City Hall to get marriage licenses. At least one ceremony was scheduled Wednesday morning on the New Haven green.

Some of the eight couples who successfully challenged a state law prohibiting gay marriages last month wept as Judge Jonathan Silbert entered his judgment, based on a state Supreme Court ruling.

The judge's order marks "the end of a very long journey toward equality," said their attorney, Bennett Klein.

"Each of the plaintiffs asked me to convey to the court how proud they are to be citizens of this state," Klein said.

"It's a great day for Connecticut," plaintiff Robin Levine-Ritterman said.Sourcé (http://edition.cnn.com/2008/US/11/12/gay.marriage.ap/index.html)

After the setback in California, things are looking up in the East.
New Genoa
12-11-2008, 18:02
Take that california
Maraque
12-11-2008, 18:04
Connecticut, fuck yeah!

What a glorious day for them. Now I hope NY follows.
No Names Left Damn It
12-11-2008, 18:06
Great.
Intangelon
12-11-2008, 18:07
At least one state that's polysyllabic and starts with C is on the ball.
Free Soviets
12-11-2008, 18:58
but but but, they used the court system! therefore this is a terrible blow against the advancement of equality, the like of which we might never recover from!
Laerod
12-11-2008, 19:00
but but but, they used the court system! therefore this is a terrible blow against the advancement of equality, the like of which we might never recover from!Later on in the article, the group that opposed it says it was undemocratic.
Sarkhaan
12-11-2008, 19:06
but but but, they used the court system! therefore this is a terrible blow against the advancement of equality, the like of which we might never recover from!

Later on in the article, the group that opposed it says it was undemocratic.

Interestingly, there was a ballot measure to call for a constitutional convention, allowing any aspect of the constitution to be fully re-written. The main stated purpose was to write in a gay marriage ban. It failed miserably.

Thus, Connecticut supported gay marriage.


It should also be noted that, four years later, MA supports gay marriage by a larger margin than ever before. The world has not ended, and the rest of the New England states are perking up a bit.
Jello Biafra
12-11-2008, 19:35
Let's hope it flows a little bit southwest.
The Alma Mater
12-11-2008, 19:37
Which would be a logical conclusion seeing as it's like a gay diet-marriage and full gay marriages are now legal

Oh, I dunno. I quite like the word civil union to make it perfectly clear that it is something without any religious taint. Marriage after all is associated with childbrides, seeing your wife as property, arrangements by parents, strange polygamic brainwashing cults and so on.
Sarkhaan
12-11-2008, 19:39
Oh, I dunno. I quite like the word civil union to make it perfectly clear that it is something without any religious taint. Marriage after all is associated with childbrides, seeing your wife as property, arranged by parents, loved by strange polygamic brainwashing cults and so on.

Marriage is also associated with the full rights and responsibilities provided by local, state, and federal governments, as well as being recognized by foreign governments...something which civil unions are not.
Newer Burmecia
12-11-2008, 19:47
Marriage is also associated with the full rights and responsibilities provided by local, state, and federal governments, as well as being recognized by foreign governments...something which civil unions are not.
Civil unions are "separate but [un]equal" all over again, in my opinion.
Skaladora
12-11-2008, 19:48
It should also be noted that, four years later, MA supports gay marriage by a larger margin than ever before. The world has not ended, and the rest of the New England states are perking up a bit.

And over 6 years of it a little farther north in Canada seems to be doing much the same thing. Much like in Spain, Netherlands, and everywhere else where gay marriage was legalized.

When people start catching up to the fact that gay marriage does not, in any way or form, impact negatively on anyone (contrary to what most opponents would like the rest of the world to believe), there will likely be a domino effect. In fact, in my opinion the domino effect has already started.
The Alma Mater
12-11-2008, 19:55
Civil unions are "separate but [un]equal" all over again, in my opinion.

Perhaps they really should be all the state considers legal.
Yes, it would be conceding the whole "marriage is religious - no it is not" thing - but frankly: why not ?

Marriage in your church/temple/mosque/little clearing in the forest or whatever, civil union in the cityhall. Tax and legal benefits all requiring a civil union of course.

Of course, the costs to change all signs and documents would be huge - but it may be less than further campaigns.
Sarkhaan
12-11-2008, 19:59
Civil unions are "separate but [un]equal" all over again, in my opinion.
The Supreme Courts of CT, MA, and CA all agree with you, as do most of the residents of CT and MA.

And over 6 years of it a little farther north in Canada seems to be doing much the same thing. Much like in Spain, Netherlands, and everywhere else where gay marriage was legalized.

When people start catching up to the fact that gay marriage does not, in any way or form, impact negatively on anyone (contrary to what most opponents would like the rest of the world to believe), there will likely be a domino effect. In fact, in my opinion the domino effect has already started.
It seems that it has. Rhode Island has started to talk a bit (they are currently the only state in New England that does not afford any rights, but they do recognize those performed in other states). There is even a bit of talk from the northern New England states about getting rid of their legal bans on same-sex marriage. No clue when it will happen, but I'm willing to put money down that it will.
Peisandros
12-11-2008, 20:23
Kick ass.
SaintB
12-11-2008, 20:33
Aint it funny how the east is viewed as not liking change and California as the place for change?
Hotwife
12-11-2008, 20:33
Aint it funny how the east is viewed as not liking change and California as the place for change?

That's what the Hollywood types always tell us.
Gauthier
12-11-2008, 20:37
Oh, I dunno. I quite like the word civil union to make it perfectly clear that it is something without any religious taint. Marriage after all is associated with childbrides, seeing your wife as property, arrangements by parents, strange polygamic brainwashing cults and so on.

Don't forget domestic violence, infidelity and tabloid headlines.
Hotwife
12-11-2008, 20:38
Don't forget domestic violence, infidelity and tabloid headlines.

You don't have to be married to get those.
Sarkhaan
12-11-2008, 20:41
Aint it funny how the east is viewed as not liking change and California as the place for change?

It is entertaining. Judging by what friends from the west coast have told me, we are much more uptight (Puritain roots and all that)...we aren't laid back, and we have places to be.

But these same friends have said that Boston is as liberal, if not more so, than LA, and southern New England lacks the conservative, rural areas that California and the rest of the west has.