Monday, May 14, 2007

Connecticut Supremes Hear Marriage Equality Case Today

The Connecticut Supreme court is going to hear arguments in a case brought by same-sex couples seeking marriage equality:

(Hartford, Connecticut) The Connecticut Supreme Court hears arguments today in a case involving 8 same-sex couples seeking the right to marry.

Last July a lower court ruled that said same-sex couples do not need marriage because they already are entitled to civil unions.

Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, the Boston-based legal group that won same-sex marriage in Massachusetts, is handing the case.

It argues that denying same-sex couples access to marriage violates the state constitution in two ways: gay and lesbian citizens are denied both equal protection and
due process.

Connecticut allows civil unions. GLAD says that when lawmakers debated and enacted the civil union statute, they recognized that same-sex couples have the same capacity for love and commitment and the same need for protections under marriage laws as heterosexual couples.

By calling it a civil union rather than a marriage the state is creating a separate but equal entity, GLAD says.

The case isn't likely to be decided until later this year though:
A decision is not likely until later this year.
I'll keep saying it: if separate but equal isn't good enough for education, it's not good enough for nuptials.