Though Largely Opposed to Marriage Equality, Wyoming Will Consider Civil Unions

On Friday, the House Judiciary Committee in Wyoming is scheduled to consider HB 150, which would allow civil unions for all couples. If passed into law, Wyoming will join New Jersey and Illinois as one of three states with an LGBT-inclusive civil union policy. The bill comes under consideration just after Wyoming?s House of Representatives passed HB 74, which would prevent Wyoming from recognizing the marriages of gay and lesbian couples performed in other states. The Legislature?s only openly gay member, Rep. Catherine Connolly (D-Laramie), is sponsoring the bill and expects that conservatives who voted for HB 74 will at least consider granting protections similar to those allotted by marriage to gay and lesbian couples through civil unions. Implying possible support for civil unions, conservative Rep. Frank Peasley (R-Douglas) said, "Let's just let me define the relationship I'm in, OK?" Likewise, Gov. Matt Mead recently affirmed that while he only supports marriage between a man and a woman, he would consider civil union legislation. Some LGBT activists who adamantly support marriage equality are disappointed with the proposed legislation. However, with strong objections from social conservatives and with HB 74 looming in the Legislature, the Casper Star Tribune suggests that marriage equality is highly unlikely to garner the support that civil unions might.Related Media Coverage: Casper Star Tribune - January 27, 2011"Wyo is Ready for Historic Debate on Civil Unions"http://trib.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_c8e7b576-94a0-5aae-8ee3-3a7b906b1a87.html

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