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.”