Connecticut Gay Couples: Civil Unions Not Working

by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

Posted: March 17, 2008 - 5:00 pm ET

(Hartford, Connecticut) Gay and lesbian couples told state lawmakers Monday that civil unions are not working and they provided evidence that the indentations of the law are not being followed.

Civil unions became legal in Connecticut in 2005. The accords same-sex couples most of the rights and obligations Connecticut gives married couples. But after more than two years since the law was passed many businesses, hospitals and government agencies still do not recognize them.

A bill introduced by Sen. Andrew McDonald (D) is intended to "clean up" technicalities and loopholes in the law.

Monday the legislature's Judiciary Committee held hearings and was told bluntly that the only thing that would work is to amend the law to provide for full marriage.

The issue of same-sex marriage is before the state Supreme Court. The Court heard arguments last May and has yet to rule.

McDonald, who is co-chair of the Judiciary Committee, attempted to bring in legislation last year to legalize same-sex marriage, but later he and co-chair Michael Lawlor (D) pulled it when it became apparent there were not enough votes for passage. Both McDonald and Lawlor are openly gay.

McDonald's "clean-up" bill would require commissioners of consumer protection, insurance, public health and revenue services, and the chief court and probate court administrators to study the problems encountered by civil union partners when seeking benefits. It then requires those agencies to correct the problems.

Many agencies, McDonald said, still offer only "single," "married," or "divorced" check-off options.

As an example he cited the case of a Hartford woman who was not allowed to have her partner cremated after she died of cancer.

"The funeral home said only the next of kin could sign" the paperwork, McDonald said.

Testifying Monday, Holly Robinson said nurses refused to put her name on her son's birth certificate last year after her partner delivered the infant. She says it took hours to find someone at the state public health department to clear up the matter.

Similar problems with civil unions occur in New Jersey and Vermont. Lawmakers in those states are considering whether to abandon civil unions in favor of marriage.