CIVIL UNION BILL Jefferson Delegate Introduces Civil Union Bill
Reported by: Leslie Rubin
Web Producer: Mamie Buoy
Reported: Feb. 16, 2012 9:32 PM EST
Eyewitness News Photo
Charleston
, Kanawha County
, West Virginia
A Jefferson County lawmaker is proposing a controversial piece of legislation.
Delegate John Doyle introduced the civil union bill Thursday. It would give gay and lesbian couples the same legal protection as heterosexual married couples.
Supporters say it's an issue of family equality.
Fairness West Virginia says there are 40,000 gay individuals in the state, making them the second largest minority. With more than 5,000 same sex couples, they want rights when it comes to issues like raising children.
Other lawmakers think it's an issue the people of the state should decide, and doubt the bill will go anywhere this session. They also say they are skeptical if the bill will even be introduced because of the little amount of time and the large amount of bills they still need to go through.
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Leslie Rubin
