01:00 AM EDT on Sunday, May 15, 2005

Three New England states provide at least some legal rights to same-sex couples.

Vermont, which has a long libertarian tradition, led the country by legalizing civil unions in April 2000. The law gives gay and lesbian couples the same state legal benefits that heterosexual married couples have.

In Massachusetts, the Supreme Judicial Court on Nov. 18, 2003, legalized same-sex marriage in that state. The decision went into effect on May 17, 2004. A constitutional amendment that would define marriage as between a man and a woman, but would also provide for civil unions for same-sex couples, will be put before the voters in 2006.

And last month, Connecticut became the second state to offer civil unions to gay and lesbian couples. Before passage, the legislation was amended to define marriage under Connecticut law as between one man and one woman.

In Rhode Island, matching bills to legalize same-sex marriage have been introduced this year in the House and Senate, sponsored by Rep. Arthur Handy, D-Cranston, and Sen. Rhoda E. Perry, D-Providence.

The Senate bill will be heard Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. before the Senate Judiciary Committee; the House bill will be heard this Wednesday before the House Judiciary Committee in Room 313.

Maine last year enacted a domestic partnership bill that extends rights such as inheritance eligibility, victim's compensation, guardian rights and next-of-kin status to gay and straight couples who live together under long-term arrangements.