WASHINGTON (ABP) — By signing a bill April 20, Connecticut's governor made that state the first in the Union to legalize same-sex unions without being forced by a court.
But, just a day later, Washington state legislators delivered a one-vote defeat to a gay-rights proposal.
Only about an hour after the Connecticut Senate gave final approval to a bill that would allow same-sex couples to form civil unions — legal arrangements that provide many of the same benefits and responsibilities as marriage — Gov. Jodi Rell (R) signed it into law.
The bill was similar to another one passed before by the body, but it included an amendment tacked on in the state House of Representatives assuring that the term “marriage” would be reserved for heterosexual unions.
“I think that it certainly bodes well for Connecticut that we didn't have to be ordered to do this,” Rell said, according to the New York Times.
Vermont legislators approved civil unions in 2000 after a state court told them the Vermont Constitution requires it. And last year, Massachusetts began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples after a ruling by that state's highest court.
On April 21, by a mostly party-line vote of 24-25, the Washington Senate defeated a bill that would have barred discrimination against gays in housing, employment and pubic accommodations. The Washington House passed the bill overwhelmingly in February.
Had it passed, Washington would have joined 16 other states whose legislatures have banned discrimination based on sexual orientation.