Conn. Gov. Favors Civil Unions, Not Marriage

March 2, 2005

HARTFORD, CN — Connecticut's Republican governor, M. Jodi Rell, has thrown her support behind civil unions in the state.

I don't believe in discrimination of any sort, and I want people to have equal rights and equal opportunities, Rell told reporters.

But, she reiterated her opposition to same-sex marriage.

The governor's remarks are expected to add momentum to see the bill passed.

Earlier this week, Love Makes a Family, the LGBT group fighting for full marriage rights in Connecticut said it was abandoning a marriage-or-nothing position that could have derailed the bill.

The bill passed a key committee in the legislature last week.

Nevertheless, the measure is still opposed by conservative churches.

Rell said she had not evaluated the specific wording in the civil-unions bill, but, the concept I don't have trouble with, Rell said.

It was her first comments on the legislation. Although she has repeatedly stated that she is opposed to same-sex marriage she had given mixed signals on civil unions until now.

Rep. Michael P. Lawlor (D-East Haven) the judiciary co-chairman and a supporter of civil unions said Rell's remarks will help attract undecided lawmakers to the legislation.