Civil Unions in Connecticut

GayPatriot has some very interesting analysis of Connecticut's recognition of same-sex civil unions:

But, until yesterday, no elected state legislature, without having been forced by the courts, passed a bill recognizing same-sex civil unions. When the state's democratically elected Republican governor (albeit elected Lieutenant Governor, but who assumed her current position in accordance with the state Constitution when her predecessor resigned) signed the legislation, the bill became law. Now, the whole nation is watching. Alas, that so many gay organizations have focused on getting gay marriage through the courts, even as an overwhelmingly majority of Americans oppose calling same-sex unions marriage. They thus don't fully recognize the significance of an elected legislature recognizing gay couples. As of this writing, there is nothing on the web-site or HRC or NGLTF to acknowledge what happened yesterday in Connecticut.

I believe that gay marriage or civil unions or whatever is going to be standard in the U.S. within a decade or two. Most young people, perhaps as a result of greater exposure, favor this idea and is resonates strongly on a basic 'fairness' level. I think even those with moral/religious disapproval of homosexuality will come to see that this is not a matter for the state to try and enforce. There are many things that are legal but not moral and I am certainly glad that not everything that is considered immoral is illegal. Most people, even Red State evangelicals, will come around to this point of view I think. However, they need to come to this point of view, not be forced into recognition of something they are not ready for. The people of Connecticut are there now, and I expect that some other states will follow. The courts have their place, and the argument that marriage to who you wish is a basic right is not entirely without merit. In my estimation though, this decision should be left to State Legislatures. This would diffuse a lot of the fear many people have of values that they do not share being imposed on them by outside forces. Desfusing that fear would probably do more for the promotion of gay freedoms than a Supreme Court decision mandating gay marriage. (via Instapundit) Update: More on this at Of the Mind