Gay couples start marrying in Conn.
Gay couples began marrying in Connecticut on Wednesday after a judge cleared the way, a victory for advocates stung by California’s ban on same-sex unions last week.
With a final order entered, couples marched to New Haven City Hall to get marriage licenses and less than two hours after the final court hearing, Peg Oliveira and Jennifer Vickery were married in a brief ceremony.
Gay couples began marrying in Connecticut on Wednesday after a judge cleared the way, a victory for advocates stung by California’s ban on same-sex unions last week.
With a final order entered, couples marched to New Haven City Hall to get marriage licenses and less than two hours after the final court hearing, Peg Oliveira and Jennifer Vickery were married in a brief ceremony.
The Connecticut Supreme Court ruled 4-3 on Oct. 10 that same-sex couples have the right to wed rather than accept a civil union law designed to give them the same rights as married couples.
Gay marriage is legal now only in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The unions were legal in California until a statewide referendum to ban gay marriage narrowly passed last week. The vote has sparked protests and several lawsuits asking that state’s Supreme Court to overturn the prohibition.
Brief by The Associated Press
