Yes, Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle vetoed a civil unions bill in July 2010. Another Civil Unions bill was later signed into law on February 24, 2011. It takes effect on January 1, 2012.
Civil unions are legal in Illinois beginning June 1, 2011.
Civil unions are legal in Delaware beginning January 1, 2012.
One.Linda Lingle (Hawaii) in July 2010.
The legality of same-sex civil unions varies by country and region. In some places, laws have been passed to recognize and regulate same-sex civil unions, providing legal rights and protections to those in same-sex relationships. It is important to check the specific laws and regulations in the area you are asking about.
Civil unions are legal in New Jersey beginning February 19, 2007.
Civil unions are legal in Rhode Island beginning July 1, 2011.
Civil Unions have been legalized in the entire state of Delaware.
Vermont*;Connecticut*;New Hampshire*;New Jersey*;Israel (only for persons with no official religion);Illinois;Hawaii*;Delaware*;Rhode Island*;New Zealand;Gibraltar; and,Malta.* Same-sex marriage has now been legalized in these jurisdictions.
No. In fact, on January 31, 2011, Governor Pat Quinn signed into law a bill that legalized civil unions effective June 1, 2011.
In some places. Civil unions are legal in the states where they performed. They are also legal in other states that have legalized civil unions. Many places where same-sex marriage is legal will recognize a civil union as a legal marriage. Please see attached related question for a list of places where civil unions are legally performed.
These US states have legalized same-sex marriage:Massachusetts - May 17, 2004Connecticut - October 10, 2008Iowa - April 27, 2009Vermont - September 1, 2009New Hampshire - January 1, 2010Washington D.C. - March 3, 2010New York - July 24, 2011Washington (state) - December 6, 2012Maine - December 29, 2012Maryland - January 1, 2013[Same-sex marriage was previously legal in California, but is no longer permitted pending a decision by the United States Supreme Court.]These US states have legalized civil unions:New Jersey (February 19, 2007);Illinois (June 1, 2011);Rhode Island (July 1, 2011);Delaware (January 1, 2012); and,Hawaii (January 1, 2012).[Some states that legalized civil unions later legalized same-sex marriage and abandoned civil unions.]