Connecticut
The past few years in Connecticut have seen various advances towards the freedom to marry for same-sex couples and their families. In 2005, Connecticut's state legislature passed civil unions without being prompted by a court decision, a first in the country. Although civil unions are not equal to marriage, they do offer some greatly needed protections and responsibilities to same-sex couples. In 2007, the fight for true equality continued when the Connecticut Legislature's Joint Judiciary Committee, by a vote of 27 to 15, passed a marriage equality bill and sent it to the full House, but then the bill was tabled. The legislature is expected to address marriage equality again in its next session.
The state is also awaiting a decision by the Connecticut Supreme Court in Kerrigan and Mock v. the CT Department of Public Health. The case was brought by Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders on behalf of eight same-sex couples who seek to end marriage discrimination in Connecticut. Oral arguments in the case were heard by the Supreme Court in May, 2007, and a decision could come any day.
FROM EVAN WOLFSON:
"Marriage Makes a Word of
Difference"
Originally published by
Portland Mercury
June 14, 2007
By Evan Wolfson
Evan Wolfson answers the question so often asked of same-sex
couples wanting to end their exclusion from marriage, "Why
can't you just call it something else?," by explaining how
the "clarity, security, and dignity [of the word marriage] is
precious and irreplaceable."
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WHERE YOU CAN GO TO GET INVOLVED OR LEARN MORE:
Love Makes a Family
Love Makes a Family (LMF) is a statewide non-profit advocacy organization working for equal marriage rights for same-sex couples in Connecticut. They carry out their mission through community education, grassroots organizing and legislative advocacy and lobbying.
Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders: Connecticut
Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) is New England's leading legal rights organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation, HIV status and gender identity and expression. GLAD brought the marriage equality case currently before the Connecticut Supreme Court, Kerrigan & Mock v. Connecticut Department of Public Health.
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LEGISLATIVE STATUS IN CONNECTICUT:
Your Community—Connecticut
Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
HRC presents resources, news, and the current marriage and
relationship recognition laws in each state.
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THE NUMBERS: POLLING & STATISTICS:
More Connecticut voters agree with marriage equality (39%) than disagree (33%), while a large majority (72%) believe in equal access to legal rights of married couples. [Quinnipiac Poll, released 2/15/07]
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PUBLICATIONS:
Geographic Trends Among Same-Sex Couples in the U.S. Census and the
American Community Survey
Williams Institute
November 2007
Gary Gates at the Williams Institute released groundbreaking research
on the geographic trends among same-sex couples. The report finds the
biggest increases in Southern and Mountain states and states barring
legal acceptance of same-sex couples had larger percentage increases
in same-sex couples from 2000 to 2006.
Comparison Chart: Marriage v. Civil Unions v. No Marital Status
Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD)
October 17, 2006
GLAD answers the question 'What's the difference?' by breaking down the specific differences between marriage, civil unions, and no marital status in an accessible one page chart.
Marriage is More Than a Word
Love Makes a Family
Love Makes a Family explains why marriage is more than just a word and how civil unions have numerous limitations.
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NEWS:
Green Street's Director Featured in Marriage Equality Film
When the Hartford-based organization Love Makes a Family (LMF) was looking for interesting stories about how same-sex couples met, Green Street Arts Director Janis Astor del Valle’s wife Amy Joy Myers sent in the unique story of their first meeting as childhood friends.
More Taxing For Some
Tax time is taxing enough. But consider the plight of Jason Smith and his partner, Settimio Pisu of Guilford. The same-sex couple, as well as their peers, must file not one, not two, but three tax returns by April 15. That's because they are joined not in marriage, but by civil union, the only legal option for same-sex couples in Connecticut. Because there is no federal recognition of marriage for same-sex couples or unions, they must file separate returns as well as a joint return, which is used as a work sheet to calculate their Connecticut taxes.
Same-Sex Couple Blocked By H & R
A Conn. gay couple in a civil union found themselves banned from jointly filing their taxes on H&R Block's website despite state law requiring equal treatment to couples in civil unions.
Signs Of Spring: The Marriage Debate
It’s become another rite of spring — the annual debate in the legislature about ending the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage.
Tales Told of Unequal Unions
Bureaucratic confusion and a “single mom” talk turned a glorious moment — the birth of her son — into a trying time for Holly Robinson, who offered her tale to support an effort to fight discrimination against couples in civil unions.
Civil Unions Aren’t Enough
As a case is pending in the Connecticut Supreme Court which seeks to end CT’s exclusion of lesbian and gay couples from marriage, a legislative committee holds a hearing to discuss how the state’s civil union law has not delivered equality for same-sex couples and their families. The New York Times interviews Evan Wolfson: Civil unions require constant "haggling, litigation and explanation,” he said. Being married means “you don’t have to fumble for documents. You don’t have to hire an attorney, and you don’t have to consult a dictionary. You’re married. You know what it means, and everyone else knows what it means.”
Lawmakers to review civil union revisions
A state General Assembly committee is to revisit the state's civil unions law Monday, while a decision from the state Supreme Court about the legality of denying marriage licenses to same-sex couples is pending. Anne Stanback, executive director of Love Makes a Family, said some members of her organization plan to attend Monday's public hearing to argue that civil union "fixes" don't go far enough. "You can't really fix civil unions," she said. "The only way to give same-sex couples full protections and full equality is with marriage. We appreciate that they're trying to do everything that they can, but for us the bottom line is civil unions are an inadequate substitute for marriage."
Film advocates for gay couples’ freedom to marry
Marriage is more than a collection of legal rights — it’s a proclamation to the community that two people love each other and are starting a family. Laura Saunders and Ozlem Camli of Wethersfield are fighting to make that proclamation. Like any other family they pay taxes, take the garbage out and take their children to school. The only difference is they are a same-gender couple. They refuse to have a civil union because they want to wait until marriage is legal nationwide. They’re featured in the documentary, “Marriage Makes a Word of Difference,” which will premiere Sunday at 6:30 p.m. at Central Connecticut State University’s at Founders Hall in the Davidson Building.
Pro-Equality Organizing Cranks Up
Love Makes a Family is hosting organizing meetings for its marriage equality campaign in New London (tonight, Jan 31), Stamford (Feb 11), Norwalk (Feb 28), and Fairfield (March 3). On primary day (Feb 5), LMF volunteers will be asking voters at polling places to sign postcards in support of marriage equality. Volunteers gather every Wednesday evening in Hartford. Students are taking action on February 13.
Top CT court hears the case for marriage equality
New York Times
May 20, 2007
Like three other couples who are plaintiffs, Ms. Conklin and Ms. Peck have not entered into a civil union and are holding out for marriage. "A civil union carries a second-rate status for our relationship," Ms. Peck said. "Carol is the love of my life, and I want to marry her."
CT marriage case is breaking new ground
New York Times
May 15, 2007
Connecticut's highest court became the first in the nation to hear arguments over whether the establishment of civil unions created a fundamentally inferior status for gays and lesbians.
BLOG: Analyzing the CT marriage arguments
Leonard Link
May 14, 2007
Handicapping the outcome? This is a difficult one. What can be said is that the marriage equality advocates in this case gave it their best shot, that Klein lived up to his excellent reputation as the winner of the first AIDS discrimination case decided by the US Supreme Court, and that if the battle is lost in the short term in this case, it will not be for lack of the best possible representation.
OPINION: No separate but equal in marriage
New York Times
April 1, 2007
Gays are the only group for whom civil union law is intended. This being the case, the law does little more than create a second-class form of matrimony, which is not only entirely unnecessary but also counterproductive.
Profs lobby for marriage equality
Yale Daily News
March 29, 2007
Yale Law School professor Ian Ayres waited nine hours for his turn to speak — but for the opportunity to fight for what he called the most pressing civil rights issue of our time, he didn't mind the wait. Ayres testified with his wife, Quinnipiac University law professor Jennifer Brown, a Freedom to Marry Voice of Equality.
Standing up for marriage equality
Record-Journal
March 29, 2007
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Connecticut chapter asserts that although civil unions mark a step forward, it is simply not enough.
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MULTIMEDIA:
VIDEO: Marriage Makes a Word of Difference
Emmy award-winning director Fran Rzeznik of Guilford has created a remarkable and compelling film, Marriage Makes a Word of Difference, which portrays the personal struggles and political challenges of Connecticut’s same-sex couples and their families who are fighting for the freedom to marry. Many of these loving couples have been in committed relationships for more than a decade, but despite their dedication to each other, they continue to be denied the respect, dignity, and legal protections that marriage provides. Through compelling interviews and archival and “slice of life” footage, Marriage Makes a Word of Difference celebrates our common humanity, and shows why marriage equality is a fundamental civil right.
Rep. Toni Walker speaks movingly on justice at CT Judiciary Committee hearings on marriage equality
CT Blogger
March 27, 2007
Uploaded by ctblogger
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GLAD answers the question 'What's the difference?' by breaking down the specific differences between marriage, civil unions, and no marital status in an accessible one page chart.
Emmy award-winning director Fran Rzeznik of Guilford has created a remarkable and compelling film, Marriage Makes a Word of Difference, which portrays the personal struggles and political challenges of Connecticut's same-sex couples and their families who are fighting for the freedom to marry.
