I took my power in my hand, and went against the world
April 30, 2013 9:21 PM Subscribe
In a couple hours, at midnight on May 1, 2013, civil unions will become available to Colorado couples.
In May 2012, the civil union bill was blocked from coming to a vote by Republicans who feared the bill had enough votes to pass the Colorado House. John Hickenlooper, the governor of Colorado, called a special session of the Colorado legislature to have the bill reconsidered, but the bill again was killed in committee. After Democrats gained control of the Colorado House, Senate, and governorship in the 2012 elections, civil unions were reconsidered. On February 21, 2013, the civil union bill passed a Senate vote. After the bill also passed the House in March 2013, Governer Hickenlooper signed the civil union bill.
The full text of the bill (PDF).
Promoted in the press as a benefit for same-sex couples, civil unions are in fact open to any adult couple regardless of gender. This may make civil unions particularly valuable to trans people whose status as a party to a civil union does not change even if their legal gender changes.
The Denver Clerk and Recorder (extended hours info) and the Boulder County Clerk will begin issuing civil union licenses at midnight on May 1. One Colorado has frequently asked questions and tips for couples seeking civil unions.
In May 2012, the civil union bill was blocked from coming to a vote by Republicans who feared the bill had enough votes to pass the Colorado House. John Hickenlooper, the governor of Colorado, called a special session of the Colorado legislature to have the bill reconsidered, but the bill again was killed in committee. After Democrats gained control of the Colorado House, Senate, and governorship in the 2012 elections, civil unions were reconsidered. On February 21, 2013, the civil union bill passed a Senate vote. After the bill also passed the House in March 2013, Governer Hickenlooper signed the civil union bill.
The full text of the bill (PDF).
Promoted in the press as a benefit for same-sex couples, civil unions are in fact open to any adult couple regardless of gender. This may make civil unions particularly valuable to trans people whose status as a party to a civil union does not change even if their legal gender changes.
The Denver Clerk and Recorder (extended hours info) and the Boulder County Clerk will begin issuing civil union licenses at midnight on May 1. One Colorado has frequently asked questions and tips for couples seeking civil unions.
Is there something bad about Hickenlooper I should know about before I continue becoming more and more enamored with the man? Everytime I see his name it's something good, and I don't wanna get my hopes up too high...
posted by Chipmazing at 9:42 PM on April 30, 2013
posted by Chipmazing at 9:42 PM on April 30, 2013
He probably kicks puppies
posted by wheelieman at 10:06 PM on April 30, 2013
posted by wheelieman at 10:06 PM on April 30, 2013
Republicans are assholes.
posted by maxwelton at 10:50 PM on April 30, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by maxwelton at 10:50 PM on April 30, 2013 [4 favorites]
Republicans are assholes.
Seriously.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 11:00 PM on April 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
Seriously.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 11:00 PM on April 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
It's just not fair. How did Colorado become the shining light of reason surrounded by so much goddamn crazy?
posted by Purposeful Grimace at 11:47 PM on April 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Purposeful Grimace at 11:47 PM on April 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
Seed cities. Boulder. We have Austin in Texas. The crazies go there, see the awesome restaurants, the laid back libs, all the fun shit we do on a regular basis? This here sells itself.
posted by nevercalm at 11:54 PM on April 30, 2013
posted by nevercalm at 11:54 PM on April 30, 2013
On the one hand, it's always awesome to see state-by-state progress towards freedom and equality for all.
On the other, it's increasingly clear to me that the hold-out Republican "red" states aren't going to go quietly, and in a best case scenario will basically become increasingly anti-gay, anti-black, anti-woman, anti-brown wastelands of misery and suck.
Worst case scenario? A few more Timothy McVeighs before we're done.
posted by bardic at 11:58 PM on April 30, 2013
On the other, it's increasingly clear to me that the hold-out Republican "red" states aren't going to go quietly, and in a best case scenario will basically become increasingly anti-gay, anti-black, anti-woman, anti-brown wastelands of misery and suck.
Worst case scenario? A few more Timothy McVeighs before we're done.
posted by bardic at 11:58 PM on April 30, 2013
In states without marriage equality, I would really love it if (pipe dream) straight couples flat out refused to get married until everyone can. That's right, florists, restaurants, jewelers, honeymoon resorts, caterers, limo services, wedding planners, dress shops, tux rental joints, hidebound moms-n-dads, and city of Las Vegas, if you want to see Adam and Eve walk down the fucking aisle, then you'd better get behind Adam and Steve.
Sorry, but I don't eat at segregated lunch counters no matter how good the BLTs are.
posted by FelliniBlank at 1:25 AM on May 1, 2013 [5 favorites]
Sorry, but I don't eat at segregated lunch counters no matter how good the BLTs are.
posted by FelliniBlank at 1:25 AM on May 1, 2013 [5 favorites]
We just got back from the office. It was crazy and fun; there were a lot more people than I was expecting. There was a whole big room set up for the party, with tables and streamers and a DJ and food - strawberry rhubarb pie, for real. People were dancing. I think it's the first and last time in my life that I will hear a DJ playing Kesha at the county clerk's office.
There was a big range of ages, older couples and families with kids mixed with young queer activist types with piercings and funky facial hair. People had great outfits. They ranged from wedding dresses and suits to Boulder hippy clothes to jeans and T shirts to a whole group of people wearing one-piece footie pajamas of printed fuzzy fabric. City council members and our congressman were there. The county clerk, Hillary Hall, gave a speech about how honored she was to be holding the civil union event.
Each couple got a number and went upstairs to do the paperwork as groups of numbers were called. After the first couple was finished, they came down and showed their union document to the crowd and everyone cheered. Upstairs it was like a strange alternate reality where government offices are filled with giddy happy people. The county employees in the office had already worked a regular workday and were talking about how they were tired - they were joking about how they couldn't do any tasks that were too complicated. We were all taking pictures of the room and our friends and everything.
We did the paperwork to get our license, then signed the union document, got it recorded, and got the certified copies. As each couple came back down the stairs, the crowd cheered and applauded; I started crying then. We got a rose and a bag full of promotional goodies from local queer businesses (awesome). There was a professional photographer there, so we posed for a bunch of photos before we left.
It was so fun to be part of, much more than I expected. Now it's done and we are officially civilized!
posted by medusa at 1:38 AM on May 1, 2013 [34 favorites]
There was a big range of ages, older couples and families with kids mixed with young queer activist types with piercings and funky facial hair. People had great outfits. They ranged from wedding dresses and suits to Boulder hippy clothes to jeans and T shirts to a whole group of people wearing one-piece footie pajamas of printed fuzzy fabric. City council members and our congressman were there. The county clerk, Hillary Hall, gave a speech about how honored she was to be holding the civil union event.
Each couple got a number and went upstairs to do the paperwork as groups of numbers were called. After the first couple was finished, they came down and showed their union document to the crowd and everyone cheered. Upstairs it was like a strange alternate reality where government offices are filled with giddy happy people. The county employees in the office had already worked a regular workday and were talking about how they were tired - they were joking about how they couldn't do any tasks that were too complicated. We were all taking pictures of the room and our friends and everything.
We did the paperwork to get our license, then signed the union document, got it recorded, and got the certified copies. As each couple came back down the stairs, the crowd cheered and applauded; I started crying then. We got a rose and a bag full of promotional goodies from local queer businesses (awesome). There was a professional photographer there, so we posed for a bunch of photos before we left.
It was so fun to be part of, much more than I expected. Now it's done and we are officially civilized!
posted by medusa at 1:38 AM on May 1, 2013 [34 favorites]
Welcome, Colorado, to the select group that has left the dark ages behind.
Financially wounding minorities by depriving them of benefits afforded to the majority was never a very American idea anyway, was it?
Keep this shit up, America, and we might just be able to make it after all.
posted by Twang at 4:02 AM on May 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
Financially wounding minorities by depriving them of benefits afforded to the majority was never a very American idea anyway, was it?
Keep this shit up, America, and we might just be able to make it after all.
posted by Twang at 4:02 AM on May 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
"Civil unions will necessarily redefine the fundamental unit of society, which is the family," said Karna Swanson, spokeswoman for the Catholic Archdiocese of Denver. "The church believes the institution of marriage is between a man and a woman, and this forms the basis of society.Sure thing, Karna, get on that. In fact, why don't you go and get the list of all of the marriages between men and women that have been directly torn apart by the mere existence of GLBT people in marriages or civil unions? Take your time and most importantly, don't worry about speaking to the media, I'm sure this is something with so much evidence you'll have to do devote all of your time to digging it up and putting it together.
"More than anything else, we need to have a sane and sober discussion about what the consequences are of redefining the structure of the family."
posted by zombieflanders at 4:33 AM on May 1, 2013 [3 favorites]
FelliniBlank: " I would really love it if (pipe dream) straight couples flat out refused to get married until everyone can"
I've seen a number of toasts at weddings saying something to the effect of "We feel like something is missing because some of our friends cannot yet fully appreciate and celebrate with us - here's to marriage equality!"
posted by notsnot at 5:02 AM on May 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
I've seen a number of toasts at weddings saying something to the effect of "We feel like something is missing because some of our friends cannot yet fully appreciate and celebrate with us - here's to marriage equality!"
posted by notsnot at 5:02 AM on May 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
medusa:
I'm a 39-year-old, traditional, straight, married, white male and a member of a conservative Christian (Lutheran) church in Texas. Reading your comment choked me up and watered my eyes. Thank you for sharing it with all of us.
I wish you and your family all the joy and happiness in the world, and I look forward to the day when there is absolutely no reason for your story to seem exceptional in the slightest.
Hug your son. Kiss your partner. Celebrate your family.
posted by ElDiabloConQueso at 5:05 AM on May 1, 2013 [5 favorites]
I'm a 39-year-old, traditional, straight, married, white male and a member of a conservative Christian (Lutheran) church in Texas. Reading your comment choked me up and watered my eyes. Thank you for sharing it with all of us.
I wish you and your family all the joy and happiness in the world, and I look forward to the day when there is absolutely no reason for your story to seem exceptional in the slightest.
Hug your son. Kiss your partner. Celebrate your family.
posted by ElDiabloConQueso at 5:05 AM on May 1, 2013 [5 favorites]
This is good news, but it's still not marriage equality.
So congratulations to Colorado for making progress.
Don't forget that there's still more to be made.
posted by yellowcandy at 5:54 AM on May 1, 2013 [3 favorites]
So congratulations to Colorado for making progress.
Don't forget that there's still more to be made.
posted by yellowcandy at 5:54 AM on May 1, 2013 [3 favorites]
How did Colorado become the shining light of reason surrounded by so much goddamn crazy?
Well, from the complaints I've seen regarding gun control, it's because all the Californians moved there.
posted by smackfu at 6:17 AM on May 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
Well, from the complaints I've seen regarding gun control, it's because all the Californians moved there.
posted by smackfu at 6:17 AM on May 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
As each couple came back down the stairs, the crowd cheered and applauded; I started crying then.
And I started crying now. Congratulations!
posted by The Underpants Monster at 7:07 AM on May 1, 2013
And I started crying now. Congratulations!
posted by The Underpants Monster at 7:07 AM on May 1, 2013
Hooray for yet another incremental step towards true equality.
posted by jepler at 7:08 AM on May 1, 2013
posted by jepler at 7:08 AM on May 1, 2013
Is there something bad about Hickenlooper I should know about before I continue becoming more and more enamored with the man? Everytime I see his name it's something good, and I don't wanna get my hopes up too high...
He's a former geologist who is pro-fracking. That's about it, really, but that's a biggie.
posted by caryatid at 6:40 PM on May 1, 2013
He's a former geologist who is pro-fracking. That's about it, really, but that's a biggie.
posted by caryatid at 6:40 PM on May 1, 2013
The Washington Post article on the Denver midnight civil union ceremonies.
Boulder Daily Camera article on the party in Boulder, with photo gallery.
posted by medusa at 7:26 PM on May 1, 2013
Boulder Daily Camera article on the party in Boulder, with photo gallery.
posted by medusa at 7:26 PM on May 1, 2013
Seed cities. Boulder. We have Austin in Texas. The crazies go there, see the awesome restaurants, the laid back libs, all the fun shit we do on a regular basis? This here sells itself.
I would also give a shout-out to Denver. Stronger music scene, stronger art scene, cheaper to live, more students by an enormous margin, not so afraid of changing. There's also a pretty hefty gay scene in Denver. I'm not so familiar with Boulder, but it's not like there's a row of gay bars and clubs and sex/fetish shops on the main drag I could point you to.
Compare either to Colorado Springs, and it's alarmingly evident there's major philosophical differences afoot. "Colorado is conservative" only makes sense if you look at area, not population.
posted by alex_skazat at 10:03 PM on May 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
I would also give a shout-out to Denver. Stronger music scene, stronger art scene, cheaper to live, more students by an enormous margin, not so afraid of changing. There's also a pretty hefty gay scene in Denver. I'm not so familiar with Boulder, but it's not like there's a row of gay bars and clubs and sex/fetish shops on the main drag I could point you to.
Compare either to Colorado Springs, and it's alarmingly evident there's major philosophical differences afoot. "Colorado is conservative" only makes sense if you look at area, not population.
posted by alex_skazat at 10:03 PM on May 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
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posted by medusa at 9:31 PM on April 30, 2013 [8 favorites]