p****u
发帖数: 2596 | 1 Gay couples campaigning for civil unions in Colorado have claimed their
biggest victory yet as a key Republican-led House committee advanced a bill
it had previously opposed.
The newfound support means Colorado is likely to become the latest of more
than a dozen states to provide legal protections to gay couples similar to
marriage.
The measure approved Thursday evening faces two more committee votes, but
sponsors are optimistic they have enough support to get the legislation to
Gov. John Hickenlooper, who is firmly behind the plan.
The 6-5 vote came after hours of emotional testimony from gay couples
seeking more authority in medical and end-of-life decisions and enhanced
parental rights.
One Republican joined Democrats in approving the bill.
Opponents argue civil unions undermine traditional marriage.
The plan failed in this same committee last year.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP'
s earlier story is below.
The debate over whether gay couples should have rights similar to marriage
in Colorado faces what could be a defining moment Thursday in the Republican
-controlled House.
Scores of civil union supporters rallied in a park across from state Capitol
to urge lawmakers to pass legislation out of a key House committee where it
faces a major hurdle to become law.
If it gets to the full House, bill sponsors say they have enough votes to
get it to Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper, who has indicated strong
support.
Republicans have argued that civil unions undermine marriage and that voters
expressed their position on the issue when they banned same-sex marriage in
2006. However, supporters of civil unions point out that the bill still
does not allow marriage between gay couples.
The vote was expected Thursday evening or early Friday because the House
Judiciary Committee also is hearing other legislation. The committee is made
up of six Republicans and five Democrats.
Civil unions grant same-sex couples rights similar to those of married
couples, including the ability to be involved in their partner's medical
decisions. It also would enhance inheritance and parental rights, among
other provisions.
More than a dozen states allow either gay marriage or civil unions. Civil
union laws took effect earlier this year in Hawaii and Delaware.
Those rallying in support before the hearing held multi-colored signs that
read "Love is love," `'Equality for All."
Fran Simon, 43, showed the crowd a stack of paperwork that she and her
partner, 42-year-old Anna Simon, have amassed to prove the legitimacy of
their relationship — wills, powers of attorney and a birth certificate for
their 4-year-old son.
"But even with this large stack of papers, we have no way of knowing if in
our time of need, will it be sufficient?" said Fran Simon. "Even if it's
sufficient, will we have the right paper at the right time?"
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, a Democrat, recited the pledge of allegiance
and repeatedly used the phrase, "Liberty and justice for all."
"We're asking you to summon the courage for liberty and justice for all," he
said.
State senators approved the bill for the second consecutive year, but it's
now in the hands of the same House committee that rejected it last year.
Those testifying will have to persuade at least one Republican lawmaker to
vote yes — something made more complicated in an election year where both
parties are fighting for control of the Legislature.
Rep. Mark Ferrandino, the Democrats' leader in the House, is carrying the
bill after trying for months to get a Republican to sponsor. Ferrandino, who
is gay, said the bill will keep coming back until it's passed.
"Eventually the Legislature will catch up to the public ... It can be a
matter of weeks, or it can be a matter of a few years," he said.
Ferrandino said the bill has enough support to clear the full Colorado House
if it gets there.
But it must first pass in the House Judiciary Committee, where Ferrandino is
looking for support from three Republicans — Jerry Sonnenberg, Brian
DelGrosso and B.J. Nikkel.
Sonnenberg said his vote won't change this year.
"In my district, I gotta be a no this year. I represent my district," said
Sonnenberg, who's from Sterling.
Nikkel said she was still considering the proposal. "I haven't decided
either way," she said.
As of Tuesday, DelGrosso said he wouldn't change the no vote he cast last
year, though he said he was still open to what proponents of the bill have
to say.
He said many of the legal protections gay couples seek are already covered
through a designated beneficiary's law. He understands there may be gaps in
the law but said he'd rather fix the current law to expand benefits for same
-sex couples.
Ferrandino, who sponsored the designated beneficiary bill, said the law
doesn't have protections for children, including child support and custody
arrangements, for times when a couple separates. | p****u
发帖数: 2596 | 2 CO 这个法案看来今年要过拉。。 革命成功一半。
bill
【在 p****u 的大作中提到】
: Gay couples campaigning for civil unions in Colorado have claimed their
: biggest victory yet as a key Republican-led House committee advanced a bill
: it had previously opposed.
: The newfound support means Colorado is likely to become the latest of more
: than a dozen states to provide legal protections to gay couples similar to
: marriage.
: The measure approved Thursday evening faces two more committee votes, but
: sponsors are optimistic they have enough support to get the legislation to
: Gov. John Hickenlooper, who is firmly behind the plan.
: The 6-5 vote came after hours of emotional testimony from gay couples
| k*****e
发帖数: 22013 | 3 赞！有进步就好。
bill
【在 p****u 的大作中提到】
: Gay couples campaigning for civil unions in Colorado have claimed their
: biggest victory yet as a key Republican-led House committee advanced a bill
: it had previously opposed.
: The newfound support means Colorado is likely to become the latest of more
: than a dozen states to provide legal protections to gay couples similar to
: marriage.
: The measure approved Thursday evening faces two more committee votes, but
: sponsors are optimistic they have enough support to get the legislation to
: Gov. John Hickenlooper, who is firmly behind the plan.
: The 6-5 vote came after hours of emotional testimony from gay couples
|
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