The Connecticut State Supreme Court ruled Friday that banning same-sex marriage violates the state constitution. Connecticut is the third state to legalize same-sex marriage.
“Interpreting our state constitutional provisions in accordance with firmly established equal protection principles leads inevitably to the conclusion that gay persons are entitled to marry the otherwise qualified same sex partner of their choice,” wrote Connecticut Supreme Court Justice Richard N Palmer in the majority opinion, according to the Associated Press. The ruling goes into effect October 28.
In a press release, Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese lauded the decision: “The Connecticut Supreme Court recognized that gay and lesbian couples who form committed relationships and loving families deserve the same level of respect afforded to straight couples. The court did its job by making clear that the state constitution guarantees the same rights and protections for everyone.”
