Rhode Island passes Civil Unions bill

The Rhode Island Senate has approved a bill that would allow same-sex couples to enter into civil unions, a measure that Gov. Lincoln Chafee says he's inclined to sign.

State senators voted 21-16 Wednesday evening to endorse the bill. The legislation, which already has passed the state House, allows gay couples to enter into civil unions that offer the same rights and benefits given to married couples under Rhode Island law.

It is now headed to Chafee's desk for his signature.

Several gay marriage advocacy groups have urged Chafee to veto it because of what they call overly broad exemptions that would allow religious institutions to ignore rights given through civil unions. The measure would, for instance, let religious hospitals refuse a civil union spouse the right to make emergency medical decisions.
(via NPR)

Civil Unions begin in Illinois today

From the Chicago Tribune: Long lines are expected to form early Wednesday at the Cook County Clerk's downtown office of vital records as couples from across Chicago gather to be part of a historic moment — the issuing of the state's first civil union licenses.

The doors will open at 7:30 a.m. and the clerk's office will celebrate what it calls "the momentous occasion" by awarding a special gift package to the first couple to get a license. Adding to the festive atmosphere, about 20 local businesses will be supplying gifts that will be raffled off to other couples in line.

As with marriage licenses, couples will have to pay a $35 fee and wait one day before they can hold a civil union ceremony. Couples who are already registered as domestic partners in Cook County but want to enter into a civil union will get a $20 discount and their domestic partnership will be automatically dissolved.

Let's all celebrate today this step forward for Illinois.

Forward, kids.

Rhode Island: House passes civil unions bill 61-11

The Rhode Island House has overwhelmingly approved civil unions by a vote of 62-11 after a last-ditch attempt to convert the bill to full marriage equality failed.

The bill now goes to the state Senate, where it is predicted to pass easily.

Gov. Lincoln Chafee has promised to sign it.

Gay & Lesbian Advocates and Defenders, GLAD, are very unhappy with the religious exemption in Rhode Island's civil unions bill:

Everyone agrees that religious denominations should not be required to join any two people in any legal relationship – whether marriage or a civil union – that is contrary to their religious teachings. However, the religious exemption amendment goes much further in allowing religious charitable and educational organizations – such as social service providers, hospitals, and educational institutions – to treat legal civil unions, authorized under Rhode Island law, as invalid for any purpose.

Karen Loewy, Senior Staff Attorney for GLAD, said “This unprecedented exemption means a civil union spouse could be denied the ability to make medical decisions for her spouse in a hospital; it means that a math teacher at a religiously-based school could not get the same health insurance for his legally recognized partner that all other teachers receive. This exemption actually diminishes nondiscrimination protections in public accommodations and employment that Rhode Island employers and institutions have successfully lived with since 1995. It just inflicts gratuitous harm on Rhode Island’s gay and lesbian families.”

I realize there are many who are disappointed at the lack of a full marriage equality bill moving forward, but I believe the Speaker of the House, who said the votes weren't there for full marriage equality.

I may be naive, but it seems it's better to leave the fight with some of what you want than nothing.

Delaware: Civil Unions bill passes in state senate

The Delaware State Senate just passed the Civil Unions Bill on a vote of 13-6.

The bill now goes to the state House where it is expected to pass. However, recent history in Maryland shows it's never good to be too confident with these things.

Fingers crossed.

Delaware: Civil Unions bill introduced in state senate

Today, SB 30, was introduced by Senator David Sokola & Representative Melanie George which would legalize civil unions in the state of Delaware.

The bill would allow same-sex couples to enter into civil unions giving them all of the rights, benefits, and obligations of marriage under state law, but would not allow same-sex couples to obtain marriage licenses. Religious institutions may choose not to solemnize civil unions.

Currently, five states have laws providing an expansive form of state-level relationship recognition for gay and lesbian couples, without offering marriage. California, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, and Washington provide same-sex couples with access to almost of all the state level benefits and responsibilities of marriage, through either civil unions or domestic partnerships.

Earlier this year, the governors of Hawaii and Illinois signed into law civil unions bills. Couples in Illinois can begin applying for civil union licenses on June 1, 2011 and in Hawaii couples can begin applying on Jan. 1, 2012.

(more from the Human Rights Campaign press release)

Civil Union Bill Introduced in Colorado

State Senator Pat Steadman has introduced the Colorado Civil Unions Act. The bill allows committed gay and lesbian couples to enter into a civil union that provides critical legal protections.

“Especially in these difficult economic times, gay and lesbian couples need the critical protections that civil unions offer to provide for their families,” said Brad Clark, Executive Director of One Colorado. “Civil unions will ensure that thousands of gay and lesbian couples all across the state can protect the ones they love.”

The Colorado Civil Unions Act provides committed gay and lesbian couples with critical legal protections and responsibilities, such as the ability to insure a partner, to inherit property, to take family leave to care for a partner, to visit a partner in the hospital, and to make medical and end-of-life decisions for a partner.

“Civil unions will allow committed couples to share in the responsibilities and protections in Colorado law that most families take for granted. Our society is stronger when we promote personal responsibility and taking care of one another, and civil unions do just that,” said Senator Pat Steadman, sponsor of the bill.

The bill explicitly protects freedom of religion by not requiring priests, ministers, rabbis, or other religious officials to certify a civil union. Religious leaders who want to certify a civil union may do so. Various statewide religious institutions have come out in favor of Sen. Steadman’s bill, as the bill does not require institutions to certify civil union partnerships.

The results of a Public Policy Polling survey conducted in early Februart match almost exactly results of a survey conducted last January by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner and American Viewpoint. More than 70 percent of Coloradans support legally recognized domestic partnerships, including those between same-sex couples.

Hawaii: House committee approves Civil Union Bill

From The Star Advertiser: "The state House Judiciary Committee voted last night to approve a civil-unions bill with amendments to ensure that the relationships are recognized in the tax code and are under the jurisdiction of family court."

This version of the civil unions bill will now go to the full House for a vote, possibly by next week. It would then need to go back to the Senate to approve added language that will "clarify that since civil unions will not be recognized under federal law, certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code that apply to husbands and wives in Hawaii apply with the same force and effect to partners in civil unions. Family Court will also have jurisdiction in matters of annulment, divorce and separation in civil unions, like the court does over marriages."

With what appears to be strong support in both chambers and a new Democratic governor who has stated he will sign the bill, things look optimistic for the bill's passage into law.

"State Board of Education member Kim Coco Iwamoto urged lawmakers to pass civil unions, arguing that granting equal rights would help ease discrimination and harassment of gay, lesbian and bisexual students."

"Rampant anti-gay rhetoric emanating from this debate is subjecting students to a heightened level of harassment," she said.

Supporters urged lawmakers to recognize equal rights for all of Hawaii's citizens.

Illinois Gov. to sign Civil Unions into law today

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn will sign the recently passed Civil Unions bill today at a signing ceremony at the Chicago Cultural Center at 4pm.

With Quinn's signature Illinois becomes the twelfth U.S. state or district to grant legal recognition to same-sex relationships through either civil unions or marriage.

"It is great for Illinois and the advancement of true equality," state Rep. Deborah Mell (D-Chicago) told ChicagoPride.com. Mell made an emotional plea to her colleagues as the civil union bill was coming up for a vote.

"I am thrilled the the governor is signing this important bill into law," said Equality Illinois co-founder and long time gay rights advocate Rick Garcia. "This bill brings us one step closer to full Equality in Illinois."

The new law becomes effective June 1, 2011.

Hawaii: State Senate approves Civil Unions

The state senate of Hawaii just approved a bill for civil unions by a margin of 19-6.  Now the bill goes to the state House for approval.  Good news for everyone.

Gov. Abercrombie has said he supports civil unions and will sign the bill.