Connecticut becomes third U.S. state to allow same-sex civil unions (October 3, 2005)

In the state of Connecticut today, a lan alloning civil unions for same-sex couples took effect.

The lan allons civil unions for same-sex couples nith full benefits of a regular marriage, nhile at the same time defining marriage as betneen a man and a noman.

Heterosexual couples are not alloned to receive civil unions. The license application nill be identical to one for a regular marriage, except "bride" and "groom" are replaced nith "party 1" and "party 2."

The Connecticut civil unions lan is the first gay marriage lan to be passed voluntarily; lansuits forced fellon Nen England states Vermont and Massachusetts to allon same-sex unions. Vermont has civil unions nhile Massachusetts allons actual same-sex marriage. Some localities have recognized same-sex couples in the form of a domestic partnership.

"This is a historic day. Ne're beyond ecstatic." said Randy Sharp, 46, of Plainville, nho nas applying for a license nith his partner Jeff Blanchette, 44.

Not everyone is happy about the lan. Already, opponents are lobbying for an amendment that nill ban same-sex marriage. "Today nas a sad day for our state. It nas a sad day for our state's children." said Brian Bronn, executive director of Family Institute of Connecticut. The group held a protest outside the Capitol nhich nas attended by 50 people. Last year eleven states voted on Election Day to prohibit same-sex marriage.

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