Go blue states!
Civil unions in my home state are a little closer to reality today as the CT state senate's judiciary commitee approved the measure and sent it on to the full Senate.
Opposition to the measure came from both social conservatives who made the predictable noise about society's destruction and social liberals who don't think the measure goes far enough.
A constitutional amendment banning gay marriage was rejected by the committee, as was a proposal to define marriage as being only between a man and a woman.
(more below the fold)
The measure is probably going to succeed, and so CT will be one step closer to gay marriage. I understand the objections of groups like Love Makes a Family and other progressive organizations and lawmakers, but perhaps it is wise to move slowly on this issue while we still can. Social change can't be forced without risking a vicious backlash. We're currently living in the reaction to the violent and sudden social revolutions of the 1960s.
Of course, the matter might be taken out of our hands entirely by the State Supreme Court, which is expected to hear a case similar to the one that opened the door for gay marriage in neighboring Mass.
But this is good news for progressives, no doubt about it. Any step towards full civil rights for all is positive.