"(But) while civil unions will provide important
protections within Connecticut, many lawyers are recommending
that when you leave the state, you should take legal
documents (e.g. medical power of attorney) with you
since it is likely that your civil union will not
be recognized," LMF states in its document.
Because of this lack of federal recognition, Michael
Spiegelman-Fishman, and his partner, Chris Fishman-Spiegelman,
decided not only to enter into a civil union Saturday
morning – they were the first to be unionized
in Stamford by the mayor – but the gay couple
also changed their names to help side-step any problems
they could have when they travel out of the state
– or if they choose to adopt child.
"But this is an historic moment," Chris
Fishman-Spiegelman said. "And we are finally
getting our legal rights, and we are going to be protected."
In its civil unions primer, LMF wrote while the law
will extend the majority of state-based legal rights
"that normally come along with marriage,"
Connecticut same-sex couples joined in civil union
still will not be able to file joint state tax returns
because "Connecticut ties one’s filing
status to federal law."
"In
addition, the 1138 federal protections afforded married
couples will be closed to same-sex couples in civil
unions," LMF stated in its civil unions primer.
"Because civil unions are not equal to marriage,
they will not provide same-sex couples with the respect
and recognition given to opposite-sex married couples."
Still, many gays and lesbians said Saturday the state
law was a big step in the right direction, and may
one day lead to federal recognition of same-sex partnerships.
One of those couples was George Wagner and George
Hellyer, who, after 13 years together, decided they
had waited long enough to make their partnership official
in the eyes of the state. So, the middle-aged gay
couple decided they would be among the first in the
state to enter into a civil union, waiting in line
for the Stamford Town Clerk’s office to open
Saturday.
"There
are economic issues that we have been unable to take
advantage of until now, all of the rights associated
with marriage that we have had to (create) with legal
documents in the past." Wagner said, as he sat
and waited with his partner, both in suits and ties,
to be called into their appointment to fill out their
civil union application. "Certainly, while this
is not the end of the road, it is progress. Right
now, civil unions are only for states, but my hope
is that one day the federal government will recognize
it. But, I think that that is probably pretty far
off."
For support, Hellyer’s 79-year-old mother, Mildred,
was also at Stamford City Hall Saturday morning to
provide love and encouragement for her son and his
new spouse. She had come all the way from Long Island
to be there.
"And
my husband would have been here, too, but he wasn’t
feeling well, so I am here," she said, wearing
a colorful dress and holding a flower in her hand.
Wagner added, however, that there was still one problem
he had with the new civil union law.
"Now we have to get used to a new anniversary,"
he said as the couple laughed.
