The Associated Press reports that Governor Rell signed the legislation granting same-sex couples the same rights, privileges and obligations as married couples in Connecticut about an hour after it was approved by the Senate on a 26-8 vote:
Rell said she feels comfortable the legislation does not erode marriage - something the opponents claimed. Last week, the House of Representatives, also controlled by Democrats, amended the civil union bill at Rell's urging to define marriage in Connecticut as between one man and one woman.
"I have said all along that I believe in no discrimination of any kind and I think that this bill accomplishes that, while at the same time preserving the traditional language that a marriage is between a man and a woman," said Rell, who signed the legislation in her office before a handful of photographers.
The new legislation left gay rights activists unsatisfied. Activists had hoped Connecticut would approve same-sex marriage like Massachusetts.
Governor Rell was smart to sign the legislation quickly. Opponents had hoped to persuade Rell to veto the bill. A rally in opposition to the new law was already planned for Sunday by the Family Institute of Connecticut:
"From now until 2006, our mission will be to let every person know in the state of Connecticut which lawmakers voted to redefine marriage, and which lawmakers voted to protect marriage," said Brian Brown, the group's executive director.
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