HARTFORD, Conn — Connecticut joins Vermont on Saturday as the only states offering same-sex civil unions, but the day may pass with only a few raised glasses of champagne as the first gay couples exchange vows.Because Oct. 1 falls on a Saturday, only a handful of town clerks' offices plan to be open. Gay rights activists know of some planned ceremonies that day — including one officiated by Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy (search), who's running for governor — but don't know how many couples will race to apply for civil unions."Saturday is going to be a landmark day in the civil rights movement in Connecticut," said state Sen. Andrew McDonald (search), D-Stamford, one of a handful of openly gay legislators in Connecticut's General Assembly.But the law is also creating confusion with some employers who will be required to extend health benefits to same-sex couples."I think employers are going to start getting requests (for benefits) as soon as Monday. And they're not prepared," said Bruce Barth, an employee benefits attorney at Robinson and Cole in Hartford.
