Limits Seen On Status
Of Gays
By MARK PAZNIOKAS,
ctnow.com from the Web, September 21, 2005
Connecticut should recognize same-sex
civil unions and domestic partnerships from other states -- but not gay
marriages, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal advised state officials Tuesday.
Blumenthal delivered a legal opinion in response to a query from the officials
who must administer the Connecticut civil-unions law that takes effect Oct. 1.
The new law extends to same-sex couples the rights that married couples now
enjoy under state law, but it explicitly defines marriage as between a man and a
woman.
"Because our state legislature has defined marriage as a union between only a
man and a woman, our state will not recognize same-sex marriages from other
states," he said. "Such couples, however, may enter into civil unions in
Connecticut."
Massachusetts is the only state that allows same-sex marriage, while Vermont is
the only state now permitting civil unions. Several other states allow
some form of same-sex domestic partnerships.
Sen. Andrew McDonald, D-Stamford, the co-chairman of the judiciary committee and
one of the new law's architects, said Blumenthal's opinion likely will be
reviewed during the next session of the General Assembly.
"I am not necessarily saying there will be legislation proposed," said McDonald,
who believes same-sex marriage will one day be approved. "Certainly the
legislation we passed was landmark and sweeping in its scope. Inevitably,
there are secondary issues that arise."
The General Assembly is unlikely to revisit same-sex marriage until after
Connecticut lives with the civil-unions law for a time, but some activists said
Blumenthal's opinion highlights inequities under current law.
"It's very disappointing and upsetting news," said Leslie Gabel-Brett of West
Hartford, who married her longtime partner, Carolyn Gabel-Brett, last year on
Cape Cod, where the couple owns a second home. "For me and Carolyn, it
really stings that our marriage legally performed in Massachusetts will not be
recognized in Connecticut."
Gabel-Brett, the executive director of the state's Permanent Commission on the
Status of Women, said she and her partner have no intention of entering into a
Connecticut civil union.
"Carolyn and I feel pretty clear. We are already married," she said.
"Nobody else is being asked to have two or three ceremonies. We don't
think that we should do that, either."
Anne Stanback, the president of the gay-rights group, Love Makes a Family, said
gay couples will continue to press for a marriage law that applies to everyone,
regardless of sexual orientation.
The Catholic Church and the Family Institute of Connecticut led the opposition
to civil unions.
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