Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders

New England's leading legal rights organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on
sexual orientation, HIV status and gender identity and expression.

Rights & Resources Marriage

Marriage

New England is on the forefront of the marriage equality movement.

At a Glance

GLAD’s historic 2003 victory in Goodridge v. Department of Public Health made Massachusetts the first state in the country to grant same-sex couples the rights and respect of full marriage equality. On October 10, 2008, the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled in GLAD’s case Kerrigan & Mock v. Department of Public Health that same-sex couples have the right to marry. Learn More

Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine all passed marriage equality legislation in 2009. Same-sex couples began marrying in Vermont on September 1, and will beginning marrying in New Hampshire in January, 2010. Unfortunately, the Maine legislation was overturned in a voter referendum on November 3, 2009. Along with our partners in the New England Marriage Campaign, we are working to ensure that all New England couples and families have the rights, respect, and equality they deserve.

Marriage: Information for Your State

Specific laws can vary
greatly from state to state

For more information, please visit a state page:

GLAD's Work On Marriage

From the Docket

Kerrigan & Mock v. Connecticut Dept. of Public Health

Victory • 2008

On Friday, October 10, 2008, the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled that gay… Read More

See GLAD's Full Case Docket »

Legislation

The Way Life Should Be: Marriage Equality in Maine

June 30, 2009

Maine family

Update, July 31, 2009: Anti-equality organizers… Read More

See All Legislative News »

News

Rhode Island Couples Talk Marriage Equality in New Video

March 16, 2010

Marriage Equality Rhode Island (MERI) and Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders… Read More

Read All GLAD News »

Publications

Share Your Story

Stories Matter

The more people know their LGBT and HIV+ family, friends, and neighbors, the more likely they are to support our rights and help us work toward full equality.Read More