2008 Woodie Awards
Gay marriage bill is center of controversy in Conn.
Gov. Jodi Rell claims she will veto bill, students weigh in
Erika Sawyer
Issue date: 2/15/07 Section: News
A gay marriage bill, which Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell states she would veto, will be put before Connecticut lawmakers again this session.
Connecticut legislation passed a Civil Union bill in 2005, which Rell signed because she believes it to be the more suitable form of legal unions between same-sex couples.
Although, like several other states across the country, Connecticut has adopted this law, the legislation of civil unions in the state was a rare occurrence because of two reasons. Firstly because it was signed by a Republican Governor, and secondly, because it was passed through state decree rather than a judicial vote.
Although the struggle for homosexual couples to be recognized through the legal system has gotten much press over the past few years, it is by no means a new issue for gay Americans.
In 1996, The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was passed under the Clinton Administration, which provides that no State shall be required to give effect to a law of any other State with respect to a same-sex "marriage." It also defines the words "marriage" and "spouse" for purposes of Federal law.
The policy has henceforth affected the legislation concerning issues such as healthcare benefits and joint adoption for same-sex couples.
Liz McNeice, junior, Norfolk, Mass. said that such a policy discriminates against the gay and lesbian population and only "fuels the fire" of people who are opposed to homosexuality.
"The legislation affects both the gay and lesbian population but also the children who may be able to benefit from having an unconventional, but steady home," said McNeice explaining that the problem is that the homosexual population cannot have the same security as the heterosexual population in terms of insurance.
"Both health and life insurance are benefits that couples pay for together. If something were to happen to one member of the couple the other may be able to collect security, but in most states gays and lesbians are not able to reap such benefits," she said.
Connecticut legislation passed a Civil Union bill in 2005, which Rell signed because she believes it to be the more suitable form of legal unions between same-sex couples.
Although, like several other states across the country, Connecticut has adopted this law, the legislation of civil unions in the state was a rare occurrence because of two reasons. Firstly because it was signed by a Republican Governor, and secondly, because it was passed through state decree rather than a judicial vote.
Although the struggle for homosexual couples to be recognized through the legal system has gotten much press over the past few years, it is by no means a new issue for gay Americans.
In 1996, The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was passed under the Clinton Administration, which provides that no State shall be required to give effect to a law of any other State with respect to a same-sex "marriage." It also defines the words "marriage" and "spouse" for purposes of Federal law.
The policy has henceforth affected the legislation concerning issues such as healthcare benefits and joint adoption for same-sex couples.
Liz McNeice, junior, Norfolk, Mass. said that such a policy discriminates against the gay and lesbian population and only "fuels the fire" of people who are opposed to homosexuality.
"The legislation affects both the gay and lesbian population but also the children who may be able to benefit from having an unconventional, but steady home," said McNeice explaining that the problem is that the homosexual population cannot have the same security as the heterosexual population in terms of insurance.
"Both health and life insurance are benefits that couples pay for together. If something were to happen to one member of the couple the other may be able to collect security, but in most states gays and lesbians are not able to reap such benefits," she said.
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