Connecticut Governor Rell Signs Marriage Equality Bill

24 Apr 09 12:00 AM EDT

On Thursday April 23rd, Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell and the state legislature enacted Senate Bill 899, legislation to codify last year’s court decision recognizing marriage for lesbian and gay couples. The new law merges Connecticut civil unions into marriage by 2010 and recognizes out-of-state marriages, civil unions, and broad domestic partnerships by lesbian and gay couples as marriages in Connecticut. SB 899 passed the Senate yesterday by a 28-7 vote and passed the House late last night by a 100-44 vote. Gov. Rell signed the bill into law Thursday; most provisions are effective immediately.

"I am proud to be a legislator in the State of Connecticut" said NBJC Deputy Director of Communications Jason W. Bartlett.  "We passed a bipartisan bill that brings marriage equality to same gender loving couples.  Connecticut has historically been in the forefront of moving forward civil rights for LGBT people.  Whether it be adoption, employment discrimination, civil unions or domestic partnerships the citizens of our State have always put justice and fairness first." 

Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese issued this statement on Thursday:

"This is a great day for loving, committed couples in Connecticut, their families, and everyone who supports marriage equality. We congratulate and thank Gov. M. Jodi Rell, Sen. Andrew McDonald, Rep. Mike Lawlor, and the other legislators who voted for this bill, as well as Love Makes a Family, and other organizations and activists, including HRC members, for working to build support for this legislation. This is another important step toward equality, and it’s exciting to see another state legislature overwhelmingly pass marriage equality legislation."

Connecticut State Representative Mike Lawlor, a key player in winning civil unions in 2005 and a strong supporter of the marriage bill, added, ""For the first time, gay and lesbian citizens of Connecticut can experience true equality under state law. In 2000 an overwhelming bi-partisan vote allowed same-sex partners to become “co-parents” of children. In 2005 Governor Rell, a Republican, signed the first civil union law passed without a court order to do so. Last year our state’s highest court declared that separate and unequal treatment of gay and lesbian couples violated the equal protection clause of the Connecticut Constitution. Last night, the General Assembly repealed anti-gay provisions of our state law and ratified the Supreme Court’s decision establishing marriage equality.

"For ten years the people of Connecticut have considered whether and how to legally recognize the committed relationships of same-sex couples. Over time, public opinion acknowledged a simple fact: committed gay and lesbian couples deserve the same recognition as committed straight couples. At each milestone along this road, a bi-partisan consensus endorsed legal recognition of gay and lesbian relationships. Today, the Governor, the General Assembly, the Judicial Branch and the people of Connecticut are in agreement. Marriage equality is here to stay."

Connecticut will be the second state to enact marriage equality in statute. Connecticut’s state supreme court ruled last October that lesbian and gay couples have the freedom to marry under the state constitution. (Connecticut’s legislature had previously enacted a civil unions law in 2005). Lesbian and gay couples do not receive federal rights and responsibilities in any state.

The National Black Justice Coalition is a civil rights organization dedicated to empowering Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. Our mission is to end racism and homophobia. NBJC envisions a world where all people are fully empowered to participate safely, openly and honestly in family, faith and community, regardless of race, gender-identity, or sexual orientation.