It’s not equality, but it is a step in the right direction. With a Democrat-dominated House and Senate, Colorado introduced a civil union bill on Wednesday that is expected to soar through both legislative chambers and land on Gov. John Hickenlooper’s desk, who has long been an outspoken supporter of civil unions.
Introduced by openly gay Sens. Pat Steadman and Sen. Lucia Guzmán, Senate Bill 11 is a close copy of the legislation that was defeated last year, when former Speaker Frank McNulty shut down the chamber to prevent members from voting on the bill, even though it supposedly had enough support to pass the Republican-controlled chamber.
House Speaker Mark Ferrandino
This year is sure to be different with Mark Ferrandino leading the House as the first openly LGBT Speaker, who introduced Colorado’s first civil union legislation, which was also defeated, in 2011. “We must acknowledge that all committed couples deserve equal protection under the law,” Ferrandino told The Denver Post. “Forever end Colorado’s ‘hate state’ nickname, and, with bipartisan cooperation, pass civil unions this year.”
Photo: washingtontimes.com
Brittny Drye is the senior editor at Equally Wed, the nation’s premier online magazine for gay and lesbian weddings and honeymoons. Follow her on Twitter @BrittnDrye.
