Marriage
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 about this case.
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.
In Your State
Specific laws can vary greatly from state to state. For more information, please visit a state page:
GLAD’s Work On This Issue
New England is on the forefront of the marriage equality movement.
From the Docket
Todd Elia-Warnken v. Richard Elia
July 26, 2012 - Victory! The MA Supreme Judicial Court ruled in favor our our client, Richard Elia, stating that “a Vermont civil union must be… More →
Legislative Advocacy
Rhode Island House Judiciary Committee Marriage Bill Hearing 2013
GLAD is part of a broad coalition of LGBT advocates, clergy members, labor organizations, and civil rights leaders dedicated to achieving marriage… More →
Related News
Rhode Island is Milestone for Marriage Equality
Today, Governor Lincoln Chafee signed into law a bill to allow same-sex couples to marry in Rhode Island. The Ocean State is now the nation’s 10th… More →