Massachusetts became the 1st state to sue the U.S. government on July 8, 2009 over the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which denies married same-sex couples all 1,138 federal marriage benefits. Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley contends in the lawsuit that DOMA “constitutes an overreaching and discriminatory federal law.” You can view the full complaint here.
Marriage Equality has also been the law of the land in Connecticut since November 12, 2008. The Attorney General of Connecticut, Richard Blumenthal, states prominently on his website, “As the public’s lawyer, I am here to defend state laws.” Since marriage equality is indeed the law in Connecticut, we strongly urge Attorney General Blumenthal to follow Massachusetts’ lead and stand up for the citizens and laws of his state by filing a lawsuit against the federal Defense of Marriage Act.
In addition to Attorney General Richard Blumenthal having a duty to defend state law, defending marriage equality just so happens to be the politically expedient thing to do as well. The majority of Connecticut citizens support marriage equality and those numbers continue to grow.
Actions to take during August 10th-14th:
Call: (860)-808-5318 & Fax: (860)-808-5387
Email: attorney.general@po.state.ct.us
The Attorney General’s office is located at 55 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106. Feel free to stop by in person and relay your message urging Blumenthal to file a suit against DOMA.
http://defendthelaw.org/
Monday, August 10, 2009
AG Richard Blumenthal Urged To Defend State Law: Marriage Equality
Monday, June 22, 2009
Senator Chris Dodd: "I Support Marriage Equality"
Former presidential candidate and current U.S. senator from the state of Connecticut Chris Dodd has come out in support of marriage equality for same-sex couples. Senator Dodd who formerly voted for the Defense of Marriage Act and supported the distinction of civil unions now feels that he should not stand on the wrong side of history.
"My young daughters are growing up in a different reality than I did. Our family knows many same-sex couples - our neighbors in Connecticut, members of my staff, parents of their schoolmates. Some are now married because the Connecticut Supreme Court and our state legislature have made same-sex marriage legal in our state.Thank Senator Dodd for supporting full equality for LGBT Americans for receiving a 100% rating from the Human Rights Campaign.
But to my daughters, these couples are married simply because they love each other and want to build a life together. That's what we've taught them. The things that make those families different from their own pale in comparison to the commitments that bind those couples together.
And, really, that's what marriage should be. It's about rights and responsibilities and, most of all, love.
I believe that, when my daughters grow up, barriers to marriage equality for same-sex couples will seem as archaic, and as unfair, as the laws we once had against inter-racial marriage.
And I want them to know that, even if he was a little late, their dad came down on the right side of history" (Pam's House Blend).
U.S. Senator Chris Dodd
448 Russell Building | Washington D.C., 20510
Tel: (202) 224-2823 | Fax: (202) 224-1083
E-contact form
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Constitution State Embraces Constitution!
Monday, October 20, 2008
Connecticut Say NO to Question 1 on the Ballot!
Connecticut recently made the historic decision to legalize same-sex marriage. Now special interests and right-wing groups want to hold a constitutional convention to overturn the courts decision. They also want to force the state into banning abortion rights, give special tax cuts to big corporations, and eliminate certain workers rights and benefits.
Make sure to sign Love Makes A Family's pledge against question 1!
Two TV commercials against question 1:
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Marriage Rally Video in Ct
Video footage and news coverage of the rally in Connecticut yesterday celebrating the fact that same-sex marriage has become legal. Connecticut will begin issuing same-sex marriage licenses on October 28th and will allow out of state couples to wed in the state.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Connecticut Activists Hold Rally Tonight at State Capitol
Connecticut gay activists led by Love Makes a Family of Connecticut and Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders will hold a rally in Hartford, CT at 5:30pm at the north steps of the Capitol (facing Bushnell Park) to celebrate the ruling issuing same-sex marriage equality.
For more info on directions click here.
Connecticut Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage!
The Connecticut Supreme Court has just issued its ruling that gays may marry! CT becomes the third state after Massachusetts and California to issue same-sex marriage rights.
"Citing the equal protection clause of the state constitution, the justices ruled that civil unions were discriminatory. In a 4-3 decision released at 11:30 a.m., the majority wrote that the state's "understanding of marriage must yield to a more contemporary appreciation of the rights entitled to constitutional protection."
"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," the majority wrote. "To decide otherwise would require us to apply one set of constitutional principles to gay persons and another to all others."
Unsatisfied with the civil unions approved by the legislature in 2005, eight same-sex couples had brought the case, Kerrigan v. the state Commissioner of Public Health, after they were denied marriage licenses in 2004 by the Madison town clerk, who was following instructions issued by the state attorney general's office.
The state, arguing that civil unions already provide all the rights and protections of marriage, prevailed in a Superior Court ruling in July 2006. The couples appealed the ruling to the Supreme Court, which heard three hours of arguments on the case in May 2007.
Attorney Bennett Klein, arguing on behalf of the couples, told the court that civil unions were a "less prestigious, less advantageous institution." (Joe My God)
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
"Hands Off Our Constitution" Rally in Hartford Connecticut
Theatre, Singing, Speeches Calling All People to:
Vote NO on the Constitutional Convention Question November 4th
Background:
The Rights of Women, African-Americans, Latinos, Immigrants, People Living in Poverty, Public Employees, Ex-Offenders, Transgender, Bisexual, Lesbian, and Gay people would likely All be Under Attack if Ballot Initiatives come to Connecticut.
A Partial List of What’s At Stake Under Ballot Initiatives:
* Abortion Rights
* Emergency Contraception for Rape Victims
* Affirmative Action
* Anti-Poverty Programs
* Judicial Discretion in Sentencing
* Public Education Funding
* Comprehensive Sex Education
* Human Rights to Housing & Employment for Transgender people
* Healthcare, Social Services, & College Assistance for Immigrants
* Healthcare & Retirement Benefits of Public Servants
* Same-Sex Marriage and Civil Unions
* Euthanasia
September 28, 2008
South Side of State Capitol overlooking Capitol Avenue
Sunday, September 28, 2008
1:30 PM Gather
2:00 PM Kick-off
(please allow 30 minutes to park and walk from side streets)
Monday, September 8, 2008
No Karaoke for Trans-Woman?
"A transgendered woman who says a Connecticut bar refused to allow her to sing on a karaoke night has filed a complaint with the state Liquor Commission.
Michelle Merrill says a manager at the Skyline Restaurant in Windsor Locks would not let her sing on Aug. 22 because she is a transsexual. The 35-year-old Enfield resident was born a male and began sex-change procedures 10 years ago.
Merrill says the manager told her other patrons complained that she used the women’s bathroom and he didn’t want people like her in the bar.
The restaurant’s owner, Gina Pastula, denied the discrimination allegation. She declined to name the manager working that night.
A Liquor Commission official confirmed that a complaint has been filed but declined further comment." (Queers Without Borders)
106 Ella Grasso Tpke
Windsor Locks, CT 06096
(860) 623-9296
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