Gays Voting on Marriage?

While this smacks a bit of a press release rather than a real news story (but then who actually employees real reporters these days), it does make one wonder. I can't remember, does Connecticut recognize gay marriages performed in other places, like Massachusetts? If so, then it would seem logical that those who are able would go up north to solemnize their union.

Additionally, the article lacks information on duplicate ceremonies. I wonder how many people have the real ceremony performed in Massachusetts but still return home for a civil union so they can qualify for partnership benefits at work or something similar.

No matter, the individual quoted sums it up so beautifully that it's hard to believe that at least a couple minds won't be swayed - that is those minds that are open to just such an experience and not closed by homophobia and pernicious discrimination.

Original article posted here.

Civil-union signups lag in Connecticut

Christopher Curtis, PlanetOut Network Tue Dec 6, 7:55 PM ET

SUMMARY: Connecticut's unions draw a fraction of the applicants of Massachusetts' same-sex marriages, as couples appear to hold out for full equality.

Civil unions in Connecticut are not being enthusiastically embraced by same-sex couples, according to marriage-equality organization Love Makes a Family.

The group noted that only 539 Connecticut couples sought civil-union licenses from Oct. 1 through Nov. 11, the first six weeks that they were available to same-sex couples in the state. The organization compared those numbers to Massachusetts, where more than 3,000 gay couples sought marriage licenses in the first six weeks of legal same-sex marriages.

While Massachusetts' population is roughly double that of Connecticut, nearly six times as many same-sex couples were married there than entered civil unions in Connecticut in the first six weeks.

"While there was an early flurry, it is clear that the community has mixed feelings about the new law," said Anne Stanback, president of Love Makes a Family. "For most gay couples, like every other couple, marriage is more than just a list of legal and economic protections, important as these are to families. The low numbers suggest that gay couples in Connecticut need and want the full security, dignity and commitment of marriage, not a parallel, separate status that continues to leave them vulnerable and unequal."

Couples have 65 days from the day the civil-union license is issued to conduct a ceremony.

Janet Peck, who lives with her partner, Carol Conklin, told the PlanetOut Network they are not seeking civil union because "we find civil unions to be second-rate."

"We find them to be demeaning and insulting. To pledge to say we're something that's inferior is just not OK," Peck said.

"Marriage means true equality for same-sex couples and their families," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "It is important that hundreds of couples now have the ability to provide some protections for their families, but it only takes a short drive north for Connecticut's citizens to be reminded that everyone can and should have the same rights and protections."

Stanback added, "I know there are some people that are holding out. I think people understand marriage is coming to Connecticut. Maybe not next year, but I think 2007 is the year of marriage for our state."

Original article posted here.