[Updated] Civil Unions Bill Revived then Killed in Senate

The state Senate voted today to recall a civil-unions bill from committee and then amended it to expand the privilege to all couples. The move effectively kills the bill for this session, but Senate Democrats promised to work over the interim and to try to pass a compromise version of the bill next session.
The amended bill also makes it clear that the bill does not equate civil unions to marriage. The state House passed a civil-unions bill 33 to 17 in February but the bill stalled in the Senate Judiciary and Government Operations Committee. The Senate gallery was filled this morning with opponents of civil unions — wearing red — and supporters — wearing white — to watch the session. It seems just 20 minutes after my previous post went up, I have more (and unfortunately bad) news to report. I can’t say that I’m entirely surprised, but I’m definitely disappointed. Actually, what’s more disappointing is some of the comments left by readers on the Advertiser website. I try to refrain from reading the comments posted on the news articles because I usually end up getting really irritated.

“Senate Democrats promised to work over the interim and to try to pass a compromise version of the bill next session.”

What the hell would a compromise be for this bill? It’s already been made very clear that this is not the same as marriage, so really, isn’t civil unions themselves a compromise in terms of gay rights anyway? Come on, Hawaii! If Maine can legalize gay marriage, why can’t we at least have civil unions??