Democratic Underground Latest Greatest Lobby Journals Search Options Help Login
Google

Blumenthal: Out-of-state civil unions to be recognized (Ct.)

Printer-friendly format Printer-friendly format
Printer-friendly format Email this thread to a friend
Printer-friendly format Bookmark this thread
This topic is archived.
Home » Discuss » Latest Breaking News Donate to DU
 
paineinthearse Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Sep-20-05 02:21 PM
Original message
Blumenthal: Out-of-state civil unions to be recognized (Ct.)
Edited on Tue Sep-20-05 02:25 PM by paineinthearse
The on-line headline on boston.com reads: "Conn. won't recognize Mass. same-sex marriages", with the synopsis reading "The state will only acknowledge civil unions and domestic partnerships from other states when a new law allowing civil unions takes effect on Oct. 1. (AP, 2:37 p.m.)

Interesting how a headline can slant coverage!

=====

http://www.boston.com/news/local/connecticut/articles/2005/09/20/blumenthal_out_of_state_civil_unions_to_be_recognized/

Blumenthal: Out-of-state civil unions to be recognized
By Susan Haigh, Associated Press Writer | September 20, 2005

HARTFORD, Conn. --Connecticut will recognize civil unions and domestic partnerships from other states but not same-sex marriages from neighboring Massachusetts when a new law allowing civil unions takes effect here Oct. 1. Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said Tuesday that Connecticut will not recognize same-sex marriages because the legislature has defined marriage as being between a man and a woman.

"Civil unions performed in other states are entitled to full faith and credit in Connecticut, and cannot be repeated here. Out-of-state same-sex marriages have no legal force and effect here," Blumenthal wrote in a legal opinion requested by the state's Department of Public Health, which administers marriage licenses.

Those married, same-sex couples, however, will be able to enter into civil unions in Connecticut.

Currently, Vermont is the only state outside Connecticut that allows civil unions. Massachusetts is the only state that allows same-sex marriages. Several states, including California, New Jersey and Maine, allow some form of same-sex domestic partnership.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
NewJeffCT Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Sep-20-05 02:23 PM
Response to Original message
1. good for him
he's a good attorney general and i'm glad we have him.

wish he'd run for governor, but i think he's too comfortable where he is.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
paineinthearse Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Sep-20-05 02:30 PM
Response to Reply #1
4. "wish he'd run for governor"
I'd prefer he ran for DINO Leiberman's Senate seat.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
NewJeffCT Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Sep-20-05 02:44 PM
Response to Reply #4
7. it would rock the boat too much here
most of our Democrats aren't too liberal and very few of our Republicans are very conservative.

it's mostly business as usual here.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
90-percent Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Sep-20-05 02:25 PM
Response to Original message
2. woo-hoo!
That's some good work from our generally good and righteous Democratic AG here in my home state.

This guy usually enforces the LAW, instead of political vendetta's and big corporate interests. If only America had more public servants like him...or like the NY AG, another generally good and just guy.

-85%
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
AX10 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Sep-20-05 02:26 PM
Response to Reply #2
3. I voted for him!
I'd like to see him in the Governor's Mansion.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
closeupready Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Sep-20-05 02:34 PM
Response to Original message
5. Doesn't matter. CT is going to have to recognize out of state gay marriag
es, as long as they recognize hetero marriages. Violation of the 14th Amendment, and interstate commerce clause, at the least.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Shipwack Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Sep-20-05 02:51 PM
Response to Reply #5
8. Normally, you would be correct, but unfortunately...
The supreme court ruled in 1967 that states don't have to necessarily recognize each other's marriage laws...
Loving vs. Virginia

Now, -maybe- that ruling won't apply in this case, because in "Loving", the law was ruled constitutional because it equally penalized both black and whites that were involved in an interracial marriage... whereas in this case, heterosexuals are -not- treated the same as homosexuals...

Then again, they'll probably argue that the law is fair because it equally prosecutes both gay men -and- gay women... :eyes:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
closeupready Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Sep-20-05 03:15 PM
Response to Reply #8
10. Interesting. I guess time will tell.
Edited on Tue Sep-20-05 03:16 PM by closeupready
It just seems to me that CT recognizes hetero marriages from other states even when the terms and conditions sufficient in such other state is insufficient for purposes of seeking a marriage license in CT.

Therefore, if they recognize an "illegitimate" marriage from, say, Nevada, they have to recognize an "illegitimate" marriage from Massachusetts. Otherwise, they are violating the equal protection provision of the Constitution. And on that point, it seems indusputably clear that they are advantaging heteros over gays.

I'm not a lawyer, and I understand what you're saying, but I'm just curious if any lawyers here think that strategy would fly in court.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
paineinthearse Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Sep-20-05 05:14 PM
Response to Reply #10
11. Blumenthal's stragegy is brilliant
He is upholding his constitutional duty by interpreting the laws as written.

He is also opening the door to a court challenge by gay rights groups.

BRILLIANT! Rove couldn't have done better.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Laughing Mirror Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Sep-20-05 02:39 PM
Response to Original message
6. So you will have to downgrade to second-class separate civil union status
if you are a gay couple from Massachusetts wanting to be all legal in Connecticut. How nice.

Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
paineinthearse Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Sep-20-05 03:06 PM
Response to Reply #6
9. I am glad someone else saw this angle
In essence, Blumenthal is supporting the concept of second class citizenship.

A true leader would have had the gonads to say he was supporting all marriages in all states.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
HockeyMom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Sep-20-05 06:58 PM
Response to Original message
12. Court Case recently
The partner of a man, who had a Vermont Civil Union, tried to sue a NYC Hospital when his partner died. The hospital tried to get the case dismissed on the grounds that he had no standing, in that they were not "legally married". A judge in Manhattan ruled that under the equal protection clause, NY can recognize out of state Civil Unions, same as heterosexual marriages, and that the man had the right to sue the hospital.

My legalize is a bit "rusty", but it made the news last year. I am sure you can look it up. Sorry, I didn't not take down the case number. It was involving St. Vincent's Hospital in Manhattan, I believe. Anyone remember this?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
closeupready Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Sep-20-05 10:29 PM
Response to Reply #12
13. I do remember that case,
but not the details. Will have to look it up.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
DU AdBot (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view 
this author's profile Click to add 
this author to your buddy list Click to add 
this author to your Ignore list Thu Dec 26th 2024, 11:47 AM
Response to Original message
Advertisements [?]
 Top

Home » Discuss » Latest Breaking News Donate to DU

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators


Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.

Home  |  Discussion Forums  |  Journals |  Store  |  Donate

About DU  |  Contact Us  |  Privacy Policy

Got a message for Democratic Underground? Click here to send us a message.

© 2001 - 2011 Democratic Underground, LLC