Battle in Conneticut court over gay marriage rights

By Katherine Knowles • March 21, 2006 - 0:00

legal battle for marriage continues

No Comments Yet on Battle in Conneticut court over gay marriage rights

Eight same sex couples are suing the Department of Public Health in New Haven Connecticut after they were denied marriage licenses in 2004.

Backed by an LGTB advocacy group, Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD), the couples will argue that the refusal to grant marriage licenses to same sex couples violates the Constitution's guarantees of liberty and equality for all of the state's citizens.

"At issue in this case is whether gay and lesbian people in Connecticut can be excluded from making one of the most defining choices of a lifetime: to marry the person they love," said a representative for the couples, Mr Klein.

This all comes as Washington supporters of equal rights for gays won a dramatic victory in the Legislature this session that hinged on a Republican lawmaker who changed his vote from the year before.

Sen. Bill Finkbeiner of Kirkland turned the tide voting to add sexual orientation to the state's anti-discrimination laws, which includes race, sex, religion, martial status, and disability. This bill is now scheduled to go into effect in June, and could mean that Washington will become the second state to issue marriage licenses to gay couples.

Back in Connecticut a GLAD spokeswoman can feel the tide turning "We know we will get a fair hearing, and we feel we have a strong case."

A decision by the high court in this case could legalise same sex marriage in the state.

Share this story with the world These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.