Same-sex marriage

Same-sex marriage, also known as gay marriage, is marriage between people of the same sex, either as a secular civil ceremony or in a religious setting.

In the late 20th century, religious rites of marriage without legal recognition became increasingly common. The first law providing for marriage of people of the same sex in modern times was enacted in 2001 in the Netherlands. As of 16 November 2015, fourteen countries (Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden and Uruguay) and certain sub-jurisdictions (parts of Denmark,Mexico, the Netherlands,New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States) allow same-sex couples to marry. A similar law in Finland is not yet in force. Polls show rising support for legally recognizing same-sex marriage in the Americas, Australia and most of Europe. However, as of 2015 South Africa is the only African country where same-sex marriage is recognized, and although no country in Asia has officially recognized same-sex marriage, the Supreme Court of Israel ruled that Israel accepts same-sex marriages performed overseas.

Same-sex marriage in Connecticut

Same-sex marriage has been legally recognized in Connecticut since November 12, 2008, following a state court decision that found the state's civil unions failed to provide same-sex couples with rights and privileges equivalent to those of marriage. Connecticut was the third state to do so after Massachusetts and California.

Same-sex marriage

Statute

On January 31, 2007, State Senator Andrew J. McDonald and State Representative Michael Lawlor, Co-Chairpersons of the Judiciary Committee, announced the introduction of a bill that would give same-sex couples full marriage rights in the state of Connecticut. The bill, HB 7395, passed the Judiciary Committee by a vote of 27–15 on April 12, 2007. At the time, Connecticut became the third state, after Massachusetts and California, to have a legislative body vote in favor of same-sex marriage. Opponents of same-sex marriage said they wanted a non-binding public referendum on the issue, however no legislator introduced legislation for such a referendum. When it was offered in committee as an amendment, it was defeated by a bipartisan vote.