In the News: Connecticut to Permit Same-Sex Marriage

Connecticut began issuing marriage licenses to gay couples after the state Supreme Court ruled on Oct. 10 that excluding same-sex couples from marriage was unconstitutional. The court said gay marriages could officially be performed starting Nov. 12. Connecticut voters recently decided against holding a convention to amend the state’s constitution, which could have offered supporters of traditional marriage a chance to ban same-sex marriage in the state. In 2005 Connecticut legalized civil unions, which offer similar rights and benefits for gay couples. Meanwhile, California voters recently approved Proposition 8, which amended the state constitution to restrict the definition of marriage to a union between a man and a woman. The vote overturned a California Supreme Court decision allowing gay marriage.

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