On Friday the Connecticut Supreme Court
announced that gay couples have the right to marry, just five months
after the California Supreme Court concluded the same. Connecticut
is set to become only the third state in the United States, after
California and Massachusetts, to allow gay marriage.
“[S]ame sex couples cannot be denied
the freedom to marry,” the court said in its 4-3 decision.
“The Supreme Court has spoken,”
said Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell. “I do not believe their
voice reflects the majority of the people in 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.”
“Today's decision affirms the love,
the mutual responsibility, and the enduring commitment of so many
Connecticut couples – gay and straight,” said Gay & Lesbian
Alliance Against Defamation President Neil G. Giuliano. “It also
serves as an important affirmation that all people, regardless of
their orientation, should be protected fairly and equally under the
law.”
“All couples in Connecticut should
enjoy the freedom to marry, and we recognize that this ruling allows
thousands of committed couples to take the legal steps necessary to
secure their union and deepen their responsibilities to one another,”
said Jon Hoadley Executive Director of National Stonewall Democrats –
the gay Democrats. “This ruling is not only good for thousands of
Connecticut couples, but it is good for Connecticut itself as this
ruling legally stabilizes existing families and encourages others to
take on the legal responsibilities of marriage.”
Log Cabin Republicans – the gay
Republicans – had not posted a statement as of Saturday morning.
“Today, Connecticut couples have won
an essential victory in the struggle for basic legal rights and the
dignity of all people,” Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians
and Gays (PFLAG) Executive Director Jody Huckaby said. “Tomorrow,
and every day after that, all of us at PFLAG will remain vigilant in
ensuring that those rights are never denied again and never taken
away from those we love. Equality is moving forward, slowly but
surely, in state after state. None of us must rest, however, until
every state recognizes the rights of every citizen.”
“This is a very proud day for
Connecticut and a very proud day for every American who believes in
the promise of equal rights for all,” said Human Rights Campaign
President Joe Solmonese. “The Connecticut Supreme Court recognized
that gay and lesbian couples who form committed relationships and
loving families deserve the same level of respect afforded to
straight couples. The court did its job by making clear that the
state constitution guarantees the same rights and protections for
everyone. This decision strengthens Connecticut families.”
“The forces of justice continue to
march forward and we are excited for our brothers and sisters in
Connecticut that they have full rights to marriage equality” said
National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) Executive Director H.
Alexander Robinson. “Connecticut joins a growing number of states
in historic rulings that guarantee that all citizens will be treated
equally before the law.”
“Today's decision makes it clear that
it's unfair to treat same-sex couples who make the same commitments
that other couples do any differently,” said Andrew Schneider,
executive director of the ACLU of Connecticut. “We couldn't be
happier about today's decision by the court, because it truly
fulfills our state's promise to treat all of its citizens equally
under the law.”