March 22, 2013 in Nation/World

Crowd cheers as civil unions signed into Colorado law

Ivan Moreno Associated Press
 
Arizona city plans civil unions

SIERRA VISTA, Ariz. – A former mining community in rural southern Arizona that has shifted over the years into an artists’ haven and tourist destination is poised to become the first city in this conservative state to legalize civil unions for same-sex couples.

The Bisbee City Council, on an initial vote Tuesday, unanimously endorsed an ordinance that would give same-sex partners in civil unions the same rights in the city as married couples, the Sierra Vista Herald reported.

A formal vote on the measure is scheduled for April 2.

Bisbee City Councilman Ken Budge called the proposed ordinance long overdue. He described Bisbee, which is more liberal than most Cochise County communities, as a “compassionate and open city” doing the right thing.

DENVER – Civil unions for gay couples got the governor’s signature in Colorado on Thursday, punctuating a dramatic turnaround in a state where voters banned same-sex marriage in 2006 and restricted protections for gays two decades ago.

Cheers erupted as Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper signed the bill during a ceremony at the History Colorado Center near the state Capitol. Hundreds looked on, with many chanting “Equal! Equal!”

“There is no excuse that people shouldn’t have all the same rights,” Hickenlooper told the crowd, which included dozens of gay couples and others watching from floors above.

The law takes effect May 1.

“It means I can change my name finally,” said 21-year-old Amber Fuentes of Lakewood, who plans to have a civil union with Yolanda Martinez, 34.

“It’s not marriage, but it still gives us a lot of the rights,” Martinez said.

Colorado will join eight states that have civil unions or similar laws. Nine states and the District of Columbia allow gay marriage.

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