Hawaii civil union bill gains steam

(Honolulu, Hawaii) A majority in the state House has signed on as co-sponsors of a bill that would give same-sex couples in Hawaii all of the rights of marriage but without the name. But whether the bill will make it to a vote on the floor depends on just a …

New civil union bill proposed in Maine

An Alna Republican wants to find common ground in the debate about gay marriage by extending more rights to gay and lesbian couples without calling it “marriage.”

Rep. Les Fossel — whose district includes Pittston and Dresden — said Monday he submitted a measure to the Legislature’s bill-writing office that would expand legal rights and benefits to gay or lesbian couples under the state’s existing domestic-partner registry.

“If you look back at the history of equal rights — blacks, women or any group — there’s a whole bunch of people who fight about names, and there are people who change laws,” he said. “The point here is, let’s change the laws.”

Fossel said he decided to put the measure forward after last week’s announcement that Sen. Dennis Damon, D-Trenton, would sponsor a gay-marriage bill that aims to change Maine’s definition of marriage so it’s a recognized union between two people.

See New civil union bill proposed
Central Maine Morning Sentinel –

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Illinois civil union bill likely dead

(Springfield, Illinois) Legislation to allow civil unions for same-sex couples in Illinois appears to have little chance of coming to a vote as the state grapples with the nationwide economic crisis and the scandal that has enveloped Illinois over Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D).

The clock is ticking on the current session …

Illinois civil union bill appears to be stalled

A proposal to allow civil unions in Illinois between same-sex couples has been stalled in the state legislature and seems likely to stay that way, as gay rights activists Wednesday plan nationwide “Day Without a Gay” rallies to protest California‘s Proposition 8 and other measures opposing gay marriage.

“This is going to be focusing on the economic aspect of what the deprivation of equal marriage rights means to our community,” said Andy Thayer of the Gay Liberation Network in Chicago, which is planning a rally 11 a.m. Wednesday outside the Cook County clerk’s office.

The demonstration to highlight pensions and survivors’ benefits in Chicago occurs as the future of the Illinois Religious Freedom and Civil Unions Act grows uncertain. See Illinois civil union bill appears to be stalled
Chicago Tribune