14 • Nov. 6 - Dec. 3, <strong>2008</strong> • <strong>The</strong> <strong>Rainbow</strong> <strong>Times</strong> • www.therainbowtimesnews.com
By: Nicole Lashomb/TRT’s Editor-in-ChiefLove Makes a Family (LMF), a statewidenon-profit organization that advocates forequal marriage rights, celebrated CT’s samesexmarriage victory. However, LMF is pressingforward with recent plans to help enhancesame-sex couples’understandingof the newmarriage laws,and tackle theopposition ahead,according to theorganization’sAssociateDirector.“We are educatingsame-sexcouples on how toget married,” saidCarol Buckheit,AssociateDirector, LMF,Hartford, CT.“With our colleaguesat GLAD,we are co-hosting‘Legal MarriageCounseling’ seminarsfor same-but around the world. People are looking fordemons to blame their problems on, and we'reat the top of the list.”Kerrigan & Mock v. Connecticut Dept. ofPublic Health, the Gay & Lesbian Advocatesand Defenders’ (GLAD) case that compelledthe recent ruling,commencedin 2004after eightsame-sex coupleswererefused marriagelicensesand sued thestate claimingtheir constitutionalrightshad been violated.In October2005, the statebegan issuing“civil union”licenses, limitedto same-sexcouples, as amethod oflegally recognizingtheirsex couples,relationships.attorneys, andHowever, theanyone else whocourt ruled thatwants to hearthe enactedabout implementationcivil unions’of the newlaw did notmarriage laws.Plaintiff couple Jeffrey Busch and Stephen Davis with their soncomprehensivelyprovideWe are planningElijah, at the press conference a few hours after the Kerriganahead for the legislativesession,same-sex coupleswith thedecision was announced.Photo by: Glenn Koetznerwhich will begin in January. <strong>The</strong> legislaturewill have to deal with how to dissolve theinstitution of civil unions, so we will supportefforts to do that and educate our members onthat. We will also need to defend our newmarriage rights, since our opponents willalmost certainly attempt to use the legislatureto amend the CT Constitution to ban marriagerights for same-sex couples.”<strong>The</strong> Connecticut Supreme Court ruled infavor of same-sex marriage, a historic decisionwhich made Conn. the third state, precededby Massachusetts and California, toafford same-sex couples marital rights.According to a Hartford Courant poll takenin mid October, Connecticut residents supportthe decision to legalize same-sex marriage bya margin of 53-42. However, a backlash isexpected.Groups such as <strong>The</strong> American FamilyAssociation (AFA), a non-profit organizationthat promotes conservative Christian values,vehemently opposes same-sex marriage andlobbies against it.“I have grave concerns about such groups,”same rights as heterosexual couples, especiallyrelated to social or historical significance.Separate is not equal, according to the justicesin the 4-3 decision.“Although marriage and civil unions doembody the same legal rights under our law,they are by no means ‘equal,’” the majoritywrote. “<strong>The</strong> former is an institution of transcendenthistorical, cultural and social significance,whereas the latter most surely is not.… the very existence of the classification [forsame-sex couples] gives credence to the perceptionthat separate treatment is warrantedfor the same illegitimate reasons that gave riseto the past discrimination in the first place.Despite the truly laudable effort of the legislaturein equalizing the legal rights affordedsame sex and opposite sex couples, there is nodoubt that civil unions enjoy a lesser status inour society than marriage.”Conn. same-sex couples, singles and familiesweigh in.“As a couple, we feel that that we have justbeen given a right that should have alwaysbeen there for us,” said Anthony Cervonisaid Billy Urich, New Britain, CT. “Although along with partner Robert Haydasz,they preach love of God, etc., ad nauseam,they live their lives with fear, misunderstanding,intolerance, bigotry and hate. As a result,any ‘out-group’ pays the price. We see thiswith the Mathew Shepards, Jessica Mercadosand the many more, not only in this country,Southington, CT. “It means that our relationshipis recognized and that nobody inConnecticut can claim that we don't have theright to speak for each other. In the past, ifone of us had to talk to the insurance company,the bank, or the doctor's office on behalfwww.therainbowtimesnews.com • <strong>The</strong> <strong>Rainbow</strong> <strong>Times</strong> • Nov. 6 - Dec. 3, <strong>2008</strong> • 15of the other, we would just ‘pretend’ to beRobert or Anthony because we weren't surethey would talk to us otherwise. Now, we cansimply tell them that we want information onbehalf of our legal spouse.”Patty Connelly-Cohen of Hartford, Conn.furthers.“Full marriage [rights] being afforded toGLBT people legitimatize my children, aswell as my partner, myself, and all GLBT lovingfamilies,” she said.One local resident believes that the new lawwill not only affect same-sex couples, but willalso impact the dreams and fantasies of childrenalike.“Knowing that I was gay almost my entirelife I never really thought about my wedding,”said Jenn Tracz, Suffield, CT “Everygirl says they’ve been planning that day theirwhole life, not me. But, when I heard that it[same-sex marriage] was legal and a reality inthe state I live in, suddenly I became that girl.Same-sex Marriage NewsSame-sex marriage victory in CT, opposition lies aheadCall me crazy, but I’ve begun planning [mywedding] without a future bride to be!”As LMF continues to serve the gay communityat large, CT same-sex residents can restassured that, at least for now, their love andfamilies are protected and governed by thelaw.“Thousands of couples who have pledgedto love each other and spend their lives to takecare of each other can finally have their governmentrecognize them as legally marriedcouples,” said Buckheit. “<strong>The</strong>se couples willfinally have the dignity and respect that isafforded by the word ‘married.’”According to GLAD, the Supreme Court’sdecision will likely be enacted and same-sexcouples can expect to marry on or shortlyafter November 10, <strong>2008</strong>.For more information (age limit, residencyrequirements, re-marrying, or what to do ifyou have .a civil union) visit www.glad.org, orcall LMF at 860-525-7777.