Victory! Marriage Equality in Connecticut

Celebration: Marriages Begin in Connecticut!
On Wednesday, November 12, 2008, same-sex couples began receiving marriage licenses, and marrying, in Connecticut!
View photos from the day’s celebrations
Photos by Glenn Koetzner for Love Makes a Family
A Dream Come True: Watch the wedding video of plaintiffs Janet Peck and Carol Conklin
News Coverage
Attorney Ben Klein and plaintiffs Garrett Stack and John Anderson on CBS News (video)
GLAD: Press Release
New York Times: Gay Marriages Begin in Connecticut
Hartford Courant Photo Gallery: Same-Sex Marriage Ruling and Ceremonies
Hartford Courant: Same-Sex Couples in Connecticut Tie the Knot, Legally
New England Cable News: Inside the Courtroom (video)
WFSB: Gay Marriage Passes Final Hurdle (video)
MSNBC: Connecticut Allows Gay Marriage (video)
Marriage Resources
Download How to Get Married in Connecticut (pdf) and the
Connecticut Marriage Q&A (pdf)
Watch the Marriage 101 Workshop online here
View the Revised CT Marriage License Application Forms (sample only):
marriage worksheet and license certificate application
In an historic decision, Connecticut’s Supreme Court ruled on October 10 that gay and lesbian couples in the Constitution State deserve marriage. Not domestic partnerships or civil unions, but full and equal marriage and the respect, dignity and security that only marriage provides. With this ruling, in GLAD’s case Kerrigan & Mock et al v. Connecticut Department of Public Health, Connecticut has opened the doors to true equality for lesbian and gay couples.
Helpful Information:
- Download the Connecticut Marriage Q&A
- How to Get Married in Connecticut (pdf)
- Read the decision
- Read the Final Judgment, entered November 12, 2008
- Read GLAD’s statement
- Read a statement from Love Makes a Family
- Hear Attorney Ben Klein explain the decision (Audio)
- On the blog: Experiencing Decision Day
- View Photos from Decision Day Celebrations
- Watch footage from GLAD and Love Makes a Family’s Press Conference
- Watch video of the May 2007 oral argument
- Get all the background on the Kerrigan case, including bios of the eight plaintiff couples, here.
Decision Day Press Conference: GLAD Attorneys Ben Klein and Mary Bonauto
and Anne Stanback of LMF
Decision Day Rally: Plaintiffs Speak
Celebrate and keep the momentum going by making a gift today!
“Today’s victory fulfills the hopes and dreams of gay and lesbian families to live as full and equal citizens in Connecticut. Marriage is unparalleled in the dignity, respect and protection it gives families.” - Attorney Ben Klein
“We are overjoyed to tell our twin boys that we will be married, just like their friends’ parents. We are profoundly grateful to live in a state which recognizes our equality.” - Plaintiffs Beth Kerrigan and Jodie Mock
News Coverage
- Video of GLAD and Love Makes a Family’s Press Conference
- Hartford Courant: Gay Marriage Target Date in CT is November 10
- The Advocate, November, 2008: Connecticut Rings In
- Hartford Courant, October 12: Gay Marriage Ruling Ended Long Journey Of Soul
- New York Times, October 11: Separate is Not Equal
- Hartford Courtant, October 11: How Strife Leads to Triumph
- New York Times, October 10: Gay Marriage is Ruled Legal in Connecticut
- CNN, October 10: Connecticut Supreme Court Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage
- Hartford Courant, October 10: High Court Grants Marriage Rights For Same-Sex Couples
- Boston Globe, October 11: Conn. ruling allows same-sex marriage
- AP, October 10: Court makes Conn. 3rd state to allow gay marriage
