Drawing The Line At Gay Marriage

The Hartford Courant has finally run an article acknowledging that the majority of this state's citizens are opposed to same-sex marriage. But they continue to try to claim that most of the state's citizens are open to civil unions -- as though there's a difference.

Some Republicans, such as Governor Jodi Rell, are still trying to have it both ways. ctnow.com: Drawing The Line At Gay Marriage:

William A. Hamzy, chairman of the state Republican Party, touched off a dispute within the ranks of the GOP recently when he dismissed those who support civil unions but oppose gay marriage as 'parsing words.'

The problem was that Hamzy's declaration ran directly counter to the position adopted by two of the state's top Republicans: Gov. M. Jodi Rell and House Minority Leader Robert M. Ward, R-North Branford.

Rell and Ward, like many people, are far more willing to extend rights in the form of civil unions than they are to accept a new definition of marriage.

Hamzy, of course, is right. No one could watch any of the legislative hearings on this bill and be fooled. Proponents of the bill invariably argued for conferring "marriage rights and benefits" on same-sex couples. And, state senator McDonald is very clear that the intent of the bill is to confer the state's recognition and respect on same-sex couples equivalent to the state's interest in encouraging marriage.

The state senate votes today on the same-sex civil unions bill. It is expected to pass. But the latest betting is that it will fail in the house.