US state forges ahead with civil union law

It is the first state to do so without being directed by a court, reports The Washington Post. The House also passed an amendment that defines marriage as a union of one man and one woman to appease conservatives. Connecticut\'s push toward civil unions cuts against a national backlash that has followed the legalisation of such relationships in Vermont in 2000 and of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts last year. Unlike Connecticut, court rulings prompted the changes in those states. In November, 11 states outlawed same-sex marriage through ballot initiatives, and at least 18 have passed ‘defence of marriage’ amendments to their Constitutions, defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Full report in The Washington Post

But in a blow for g ay rights activists, Oregon’s Supreme Court has ruled that 3 000 same-s ex marriages performed a year ago in one county were unlawful. It said the county had overstepped its authority and that the licences it had issued were unconstitutional under Oregon law, reports The New York Times. Supporters of same-sex marriage said that they would not abandon their quest for full marriage rights, but that in the meantime they would work to win passage of Bills that would allow civil unions for gay couples. Full report in The New York Times