HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Keith Choate and Mark Ceneri turned to each other, grinning. Then they embraced. State representatives had just voted 85-63 to allow same-sex civil unions, something Choate and Ceneri had been waiting for since they became a couple five years ago. The state Senate passed a similar measure last week.

“We wanted something that was meaningful,” said a beaming Choate. “We wanted something that was real.”

The House action on Wednesday came after more than six hours of debate, much of it centered on adding a definition of marriage – the union of a man and a woman. Gov. M. Jodi Rell praised the lawmakers for approving what she called “a stronger and clearer” bill and vowed to sign the proposal if senators sign off on the amended version.

If the Senate does agree to the legislation, Connecticut becomes the first state to voluntarily establish civil unions. Court rulings – handed down in lawsuits brought by gay and lesbian couple – mandated civil unions in Vermont and gay marriage in Massachusetts.

So – civil union for gays: check. Definition of marriage as between a man and a woman: also check. Is everybody equally happy and irked? Check.

As ***Dave notes, it’s a good law that both pleases and pisses off opposing viewpoints.