The Connecticut Supreme Court has issued a decision (PDF here) holding that a separate-but-equal civil union scheme is a violation of the Connecticut state constitution's equal protection rights. An excerpt of the opinion:
The characteristic that defines the members of this group -- attraction to persons of the same sex -- bears no logical relationship to their ability to perform in society, either in familial relations or otherwise as productive citizens. Because sexual orientation is such an essential component of personhood, even if there is some possibility that a person’s sexual preference can be altered, it would be wholly unacceptable for the state to require anyone to do so.
The Iowa Supreme Court hears oral arguments in the Varnum case on December 9th in Des Moines.
