With the new law, Connecticut joins Vermont and Massachusetts as the only states with laws that provide far-reaching benefits to same-sex couples. Vermont recognizes civil unions and Massachusetts has gay marriage, but the laws were enacted only after court fights.
Connecticut is now the first state to legalize gay unions without a court fight. They didn’t legalize marriage, just gay unions, but still, this is an important first step. New England, where I grew up, is leading the country in legalizing gay unions. It’s a place where religion and sex are considered one’s own affair, not to be intruded on by others.