JPus in the News

For civil unions, justices of the peace can say 'I won't' JPus member Sonia Osuna has performed many civil unions since they became legal in October 2005. Saul Haffner, President of JPus, does them too. But not all JPs do. The state of Connecticut allows JPs to decline to officiate if they are not comfortable with the same-sex ceremony. Read article here.

Officials brace for rush of same-sex unions Associated Press. Published 12:00 am EDT, Sunday, September 25, 2005 MIDDLETOWN — As a new law allowing same-sex civil unions takes effect next week, justices of the peace, clergy and town clerks are entering uncharted waters. "On Oct. 1, civil unions become law in Connecticut, but there is not a JP in that room who knows what to do with it," said Saul Haffner, president of Justices of the Peace of Connecticut, which held a conference Saturday to answer questions about civil unions. "It’s going to be a mess." Connecticut is the first state to pass . . .

‘Party 1’ And ‘Party 2’ Soon Will Get To Say ‘I Do’ Published September 25. 2005 12:01AM | Updated December 17. 2009 3:35PM By Karin Crompton, Development/Transportation/Demographics Reporter The scene: two men stand before a justice of the peace or a minister. It is a civil-union ceremony, and they have said their “I do's” and exchanged rings. The officiant turns to the couple. “I now pronounce you ...” Pronounce you what? Language, or terminology, is but one of the details facing JPs, town clerks and couples themselves as Oct. 1 draws near. Saturday marks the day when a new state law allowing . . .

The Nation's News By THE DENVER POST, MIDDLETOWN, Conn. Justices are learning to perform gay unions Connecticut’s new law allowing same-sex civil unions takes effect this weekend, and justices of the peace are still learning how to handle the new ceremonies. “On Oct. 1, civil unions become law in Connecticut, but there is not a JP in that room who knows what to do with it,” said Saul Haffner, president of Justices of the Peace of Connecticut, which held a conference Saturday on the law. “It’s going to be a mess.” Connecticut is the first state to pass a civil-union law, . . .