Yahoo! News - Connecticut Approves Civil Unions for Gays
I guess "seperate but equal" is better than having benefits ripped away from you. A step in the right direction.

HARTFORD, Conn. - Gay rights proponents had been hoping that Connecticut would follow the lead of neighboring Massachusetts by allowing same-sex couples to marry.

That's why they were pleased but still unsatisfied Wednesday when Connecticut offered civil unions to gay couples, becoming the first state to do so voluntarily, without being forced by the courts.

"As important as the rights are, this is not yet equality," said Anne Stanback, executive director of Love Makes a Family, a statewide gay rights organization.

Vermont is the other state to allow civil unions, which carry the rights and privileges of marriage without the marriage license. Massachusetts allows gay couples to marry. But those changes came about after same-sex couples won court battles.

Gov. M. Jodi Rell, a Republican, signed the bill about an hour after it was approved 26-8 by the Democrat-controlled Senate. The law, which takes effect Oct. 1, includes an amendment that defines marriage as being between a man and a woman. Civil unions are reserved only for same-sex couples.

"I have said all along that I believe in no discrimination of any kind and I think that this bill accomplishes that, while at the same time preserving the traditional language that a marriage is between a man and a woman," Rell said.

Still, the bigots are unhappy with this. And they're not going to shut up.

Opponents had hoped to persuade Rell to veto the bill, saying civil unions are essentially gay marriage.

Roman Catholics and pro-marriage activists plan a rally Sunday in opposition to the bill.

Marie Hilliard, executive director of the Connecticut Catholic Conference, said the civil union proposal "got more legs than we ever hoped it would get." About 44 percent of the state's 3 million residents are Roman Catholic.

Brian Brown, head of the Family Institute of Connecticut, said his group intends to keep the issue squarely before the public.

"From now until 2006, our mission will be to let every person know in the state of Connecticut which lawmakers voted to redefine marriage, and which lawmakers voted to protect marriage," he said.

Ahhhh, but it's not marriage...didn't you hear the lady? So, your argument there is a bit moot, isn't it? You're going to have to come right out and tell it like it is- this is not about "protecting marriage", that smokescreen you like to hide behind, this about is persecuting gay people any way you can. Period.

Now, go away. Surely there are better things to do with your time.