Same-sex civil unions could pass in 4 states this year; activists optimistic about chances

Same-sex civil unions could pass in 4 states this year; activists optimistic about chances

By Michael Foust
Baptist Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--After suffering a series of stinging defeats last year, homosexual activists may be on the verge of significant victories this year as state legislatures consider passing same-sex civil unions bills.

Legislators in at least four states -- Hawaii, New Hampshire, Oregon and Rhode Island -- are examining civil unions bills that would grant homosexual couples the legal benefits of marriage. A fifth state, Washington, is considering a domestic partnership benefits bill that would give same-sex couples some of marriage's legal benefits.

In all five states, supporters believe they have a good chance at success. Homosexual activists see civil unions as the next-best thing to full-blown "gay marriage," as well as a natural stepping stone to "marriage." Some legislators see civil unions as a compromise. Pro-family leaders, though, disagree.

"We think civil unions as they are proposed here in Hawaii are exactly the same as marriage, but with a different title," Hawaii Family Forum Executive Director Kelly Rosati told Baptist Press. "So, we don't see it as much of a compromise."

Last year, supreme courts in New York, Washington state and New Jersey ruled there was no constitutional right to "gay marriage." Although it was a banner year for conservatives, the pendulum could be swinging back in the other direction. Maryland's highest court could issue a "gay marriage" decision any day. California's top court will hear such a case this year, and Connecticut's highest court could as well.

Civil unions are legal in three states: Vermont, Connecticut and New Jersey. But even with civil unions, all three states remain embroiled in political or legal squabbles over "gay marriage." In Vermont, a bill that would legalize "gay marriage" is pending in the state legislature. In Connecticut, a lawsuit that would legalize "gay marriage" currently is before the Connecticut Supreme Court, although justices have yet to decide whether they'll hear it. And in New Jersey, the new civil unions law is just now going into effect, and homosexual activists already are pledging not to give up until the legislature allows "marriage" for same-sex couples.

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