Connecticut Marriage/Relationship Recognition Law
Licenses marriages for same-sex couples? No.
Honors marriages of same-sex couples from other jurisdictions?
Connecticut law defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
Citation: Title 46b, chapter 815f, section 46b-38nn
Any form of statewide relationship recognition for same-sex couples?
In 2005, the Legislature approved Substitute Senate Bill 963 and it will become effective on October 1, 2005. The law creates civil unions for same-sex couples and confers all of the state-level spousal rights and responsibilities on parties to a civil union.
Citation: Title 46b, chapter 815f, sections 46b-38aa to 46b-39
Connecticut Civil Unions
Same-sex couples in Connecticut are able to enter into civil unions thanks to a law that went into effect Oct. 1, 2005. Civil unions offer same-sex couples all of the benefits of marriage under state law, but none of the federal protections (such as Social Security survivor benefits), and there is no guarantee that the unions will be recognized by other states or the federal government.
The civil unions bill was approved by the Connecticut Legislature in April 2005 and signed by Gov. M. Jodi Rell. Before passing it, however, the state House of Representatives attached an amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman.
Connecticut was the first state to establish civil unions voluntarily, without having been ordered to do so by a court. For more information on civil unions in Connecticut, visit the Love Makes a Family website.
Recent Developments in Connecticut
A lawsuit called Kerrigan & Mock v. Dept. of Public Health was filed in August 2004 in New Haven Superior Court arguing that denying marriage licenses to same-sex couples violated the state constitution. The suit was filed by Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) on behalf of seven same-sex couples who had been refused marriage licenses. The trial court ruled in July 2006 that the denial of marriage licenses to same-sex couples did not violate the state constitution. That decision has been appealed, and the case is currently pending before the Connecticut Supreme Court; a decision is expected at any time.
GLAD, a Boston-based legal group, was previously successful in winning marriage rights for same-sex couples in Massachusetts and civil union protections in Vermont.
The legal information provided on this page is provided as a courtesy to the public. It is not designed to serve as legal advice. HRC does not warrant that this information is current or comprehensive.
Last Updated: 4/3/2008