Connecticut Supreme Court Overturns Gay Marriage Ban

The highest court in Connecticut ruled 4-3 in favor of gay marriage. The majority opinion found the state's "understanding of marriage must yield to a more contemporary appreciation of the rights entitled to constitutional protection." Connecticut is the third state to allow same-sex marriages (it's allowed in Masachusetts and California).

Governor Jodi Rell, who did sign a civil union law in 2005, said she would abide the ruling, "The Supreme Court has spoken. I do not believe their voice reflects the majority of the people of Connecticut. However, I am also firmly convinced that attempts to reverse this decision -- either legislatively or by amending the state Constitution -- will not meet with success."

The majority ruling also read, "Interpreting our state constitutional provisions in accordance with firmly established equal protection principles leads inevitably to the conclusion that gay persons are entitled to marry the otherwise qualified same sex partner of their choice. To decide otherwise would require us to apply one set of constitutional principles to gay persons and another to all others."

The NY State Appellate Court rejected gay marriage in 2006, but earlier this year Governor Paterson said the state would recognize out-of-state gay marriages. Here's the Connecticut Department of Health's info on marriage licenses (which could be updated, given the ruling) and the MTA's schedule for Metro-North.

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By Jen Chung in News on October 10, 2008 12:52 PM

Comments [rss]

piercep2

great news :)

HUGO_MEGO

Marriage is between a man and a woman. Look at all the neo-lib hipsters praising gay marriage on here. It's just about enough to make you sick!

NannyState

All hail the Nutmeg State!

Dirk

Social conservatives must be having heart attacks... gay marriage, the government buying everything, a black man soon to be elected President...

Aaron Richard

I agree with babyhitler.

Lilitu

Well done, Connecticut! New York, take note: you're lagging.

robingee

Gay marriage passes! Leads to humans marrying box turtles!

rhonda718

Free Levi!

Think2wice

So shines a good deed in a weary world.

BTW:

Upon hearing this, Sean Hannity had a conniption fit that ruptured one of his testicles.

babyhitler

marriage should only be between 2 unwilling teenagers.

Rob T Firefly

Congratulations and thanks to all who have fought for this!

Qraymond

This is great news.

nicemarmot

The state should not be involved in marriage at all. The only reason it got involved in the first place was to try to control who could marry who. An ideal solution would be a registered partnership for tax/childrearing purposes with the religious ceremony of the participants choice.

famdoc

The opinion of the majority in this decision is a manifesto for fairness and equal justice under the constitution. It should be reprinted and distributed to governors and state supreme court justices in the other 47 states.

And, what an opportunity to start a catering, florist or baking business. Just like California and Massachusetts, there's going to be a flight of same-sex couples to Connecticut and they're going to need to party!

justabystander

Just FYI--the highest court in New York is the Court of Appeals, not the NY State Appellate Court (there are four of these and only Court of Appeals).

VanessaNYC

good news. :)

chuzzlewit

sigh. i just love civil rights.

David

At #1, yep, I will never understand why people don't see this as just the right thing to do.

sidenote

"I do not believe their voice reflects the majority of the people of Connecticut."

Which is why the Constitution is written to protect the rights of the minority in face of the majority. Once again I have no idea why this is even an issue of the state and not strictly the church. Another victory for the righteous.