CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Emotional testimony from gays and lesbians failed to sway Colorado lawmakers, who on Monday rejected a house bill that would have authorized county clerks to issue licenses for civil unions for eligible same-sex couples. Witnesses said they wanted only the same benefits, protections, and responsibilities granted to married spouses, including the ability to transfer property, survivor benefits, coverage under health plans, and the ability to refuse to testify against their partners. Rep. Shawn Mitchell (R-Broomfield) said the same arguments could be used to legalize polygamous relationships and other arrangements. "Why shouldn't the state recognize that bond?" Mitchell asked. The bill's sponsor, Rep. Tom Plant (D-Nederland), said the measure would have applied only to people prohibited from being married. "We are not seeking to redefine marriage," Plant said. Julie Tolleson, a Denver attorney and spokeswoman for Equal Rights Colorado, a gay advocacy group, said gays won a major victory last summer when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Texas's same-sex sodomy law, forcing the government out of their bedrooms. "We're now asking government to look at the outside of our homes and see them just like you see all other households across this state," she said.
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Meet all 37 of the queer women in this season's WNBA
April 17 2024 11:24 AM
Here are the 15 gayest travel destinations in the world: report
March 26 2024 9:23 AM
21+ steamy photos of Scotland’s finest gay men in Elska Glasgow
February 01 2024 10:07 PM
More Than 50 of Our Favorite LGBTQ+ Moms
May 12 2024 11:44 AM
Conjoined twins Lori Schappell and trans man George Schappell dead at 62
April 27 2024 6:13 PM
Latest Stories
Kamala Harris rides wave of Democratic energy at kickoff event in Wisconsin
July 23 2024 3:36 PM
'Devastated:' A six-week abortion ban will go into effect in Iowa next week
July 23 2024 2:28 PM
Four hours, 44,000 Black women, and one Zoom call
July 23 2024 2:17 PM
Record 1.2 million people show out for Cologne’s Pride parade
July 23 2024 10:51 AM
Here's how far-right activist Leonard Leo helped fund Bud Light boycott
July 23 2024 10:27 AM
Elon Musk’s comments about his trans daughter prove why she doesn’t speak to him
July 23 2024 9:16 AM
Nancy Pelosi endorses Kamala Harris for president
July 22 2024 4:07 PM