The Colorado Senate passed a civil union bill (SB 127) yesterday by a vote of 23 to 12. The bill, introduced by Senator Pat Steadman (D) would allow same-sex couples to enter into civil unions and attain some of the same benefits enjoyed by married couples, such as the right to visit a partner in the hospital and the right to make decisions about the partner’s medical care. The bill would not, however, allow same sex couples to obtain marriage licenses. The bill will now go to the Colorado House of Representatives for a vote.
Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, stated, “Legislators in Colorado have taken an important action to advance equality for all Coloradans. We call on the Colorado House to swiftly follow the Senate’s lead on this crucial legislation.”
On Tuesday, Senator David Sokola (D) introduced a civil union in the Delaware state Senate. Currently, Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Washington DC allow marriage of same-sex couples. Six states, California, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii allow same-sex couples to form civil unions or domestic partnerships, which carry some of the legal benefits of marriage.
