LGBTQ news and entertainment
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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. Update: LGBT advocates applaud passage of marriage equality in Hawaii