Cristin McCarthy Vahey

Yesterday, we convened at the State Capitol to vote on a number of important bills. Most pertain to resources and aid for those who have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. I was particularly moved to speak on behalf of a bill I co-introduced, HB 6321, known as the Parentage Act. I shared this when I testified before the Judiciary Committee earlier this year:
 
Our LGBTQ parents deserve equal protection under the law, which our Constitution guarantees, and courts have affirmed. Unmarried non-biological parents, families who utilize assisted reproduction, and those who participate in a surrogacy process all have a right to a clear path to parentage and assurance under the law that these rights are secure. LGBTQ couples raising children together should have the same paths available as different sex couples currently do. It is an issue of equity.
 
An infant does not care whether the law has recognized their parent legally. They know their parent as the attachment figure who provides a "secure base" which allows them to develop. These attachments provide a child the safety and security needed to develop, explore and relate. The child and parents will benefit from the security and certainty that this change in the law will provide.
 
Too many of our LGBTQ friends, family, and neighbors have struggled with the fear and uncertainty created by the law as it is currently constructed. These clarifications are particularly important for the most impactful and vulnerable times in a family's life: birth, serious illness, death, divorce, separation, or marriage.
 
Below are some of the other bills we passed:

As you may have read in both state and local news reports, last week the Fairfield Racial Equity and Justice Task Force's Zoom meeting was “zoom bombed.” One or two hidden people took over the meeting, spewing racist, homophobic and xenophobic rhetoric.
 
This kind of hate is vile and has no place in our community or anywhere. But this did occur – right here in Fairfield during an official town meeting. There were words and images intended to intimidate, denigrate and dehumanize our own neighbors and friends. Rather than be intimidated, courageous, articulate task force members offered insight into their everyday experiences as people of color - and their words were powerful. I invite you to spend 15 minutes or so to listen in to the end of the meeting. Our police department responded swiftly, unequivocally condemning the actions, and is investigating this possible hate crime.
 
I completely reject and condemn these actions and wanted to highlight instead the people in our community who are inviting us to see the world as they have experienced it. It is up to us to stand together against such hate and work to root out racism here in our community and beyond.