Conn. 4th state to legalize same-sex 'marriage'
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow - 4/24/2009 6:20:00 AM
S.B 899 passed only after approval of an amendment giving religious organizations an exemption to the law -- specifically, that they are not required to pvodie services, goods, or facilities for same-sex "wedding" ceremonies. Associated Press reports that the measure, which removes gender references from state marriage laws, also transforms existing same-sex civil unions into legally recognized marriages as of Oct. 1, 2010.
Matt Barber of Liberty Counsel comments on the legislature's vote. "It's unfortunate that these legislators would go with the pop-culture notion of same-sex marriage, really in opposition to the will of the people," says Barber.
The bill came from the courts to the legislature after the state's Supreme Court ruled last fall that homosexual couples had the right to marry in Connecticut. But Barber says it should have been done differently.
"This really should go on a ballot initiative," he argues. "In every instance where the people have had a say as to radically redefine natural marriage and introduce counterfeit marriage, in every instance the people have voted to maintain the definition of natural marriage."
One pro-family group in Connecticut laments the amendment exempting religious organizations is not perfect, but concedes the amended bill is a significant improvement for religious liberty in the wake of what it deems an "illegitimate" court ruling.
Barber says history suggests homosexual activists will try to change the amendment or work around it.
Three other states -- Massachusetts, Vermont and Iowa -- also allow homosexual marriage.
