Connecticut overturns ban on same-sex marriage

The Connecticut Supreme Court ruled on Friday that same-sex couples have the right to marry, reversing a lower court decision that had concluded that the civil unions legalized in the state three years ago offered the same rights and benefits as marriage. With the 4-to-3 ruling, Connecticut becomes the third state in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage. California legalized gay marriage in May 2008, and Massachusetts in 2004. "Today is really a great day for equality in Connecticut," said Bennett Klein, senior lawyer at Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders, which argued the case before the Supreme Court. "Today's decision really fulfills the hopes and dreams of gay and lesbian couples in Connecticut to live as full and equal citizens." Opponents of same-sex marriage called for continued steps for a constitutional ban... [read full story]