Court legalizes same-sex marriages

Eight same-sex couples sued state, saying civil unions were not equal to marriage Court decided constitution mandates treating citizens applying for marriage equally In 2005, Connecticut became the first state to allow civil unions State officials do not know when they will begin issuing marriage licenses From Rose Arce and Elise Zeiger CNN HARTFORD, Connecticut (CNN) -- The Connecticut Supreme Court ruled Friday that gay and lesbian couples have the right to get married. The ruling makes Connecticut the third state, after Massachusetts and California, to decide its constitution mandates treating citizens equally when applying for marriage licenses, regardless of their sexual orientation. Vermont allows civil unions. "Interpreting our state constitutional provisions in accordance with firmly established equal protection... [read full story]