BREAKING NEWS: Connecticut joins Massachusetts and California!!!!

VFM hails the Connecticut Supreme Court's decision released today that Connecticut could not deny  marriage licenses to same-sex couples.  In a 4-3 ruling, the court concluded that principles of equality protection require that a gay person be allowed to marry "the otherwise qualified same sex partner of their choice."  The court explained, "to decide otherwise would require us to apply one set of constitutional principles to gay persons and another to all others."

Connecticut has a civil union law modeled on Vermont's.  "That's what makes this decision so important," explains Vermont Freedom to Marry Chair Beth Robinson.  "This is the second court in a row to say that civil unions aren't equal. If we're truly serious about treating gay and lesbian citizens and our families fairly, civil unions simply aren't enough."  The April, 2008 report of Vermont's Commission on Family Recognition and Protection, issued after eight public hearings around the state, supports this conclusion.

"This is a great day for families in Connecticut," cheered Vemront Freedom to Marry Field Director Robyn Maguire. "Gay and lesbian citizens work hard at our jobs, contribute to our sommunities, and strugle with the same challenges as our heterosexual neighbors. It's only fair that the law treat us the same.  I look forward to Vermont taking the next step."