one bright spot

One bright spot in the news this morning- Momentus happy tidings for gay and lesbian couples in Connecticut, who can wed beginning today. From my sunny window in California, where the chickens have rights but I no longer do, may I extend my best wishes for love and happiness to all of the devoted couples about to marry in Connecticut

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Gay couples start marrying in Connecticut
The Associated Press
8:54 AM PST, November 12, 2008


NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- A judge cleared the way today for gay marriage to begin Wednesday in Connecticut, a victory for advocates stung by California's referendum that banned same-sex unions in that state.

Couples immediately 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 next to New Haven City Hall.


"I feel so happy," said Vickery, a 44-year-old attorney. "It's so much more emotional than I expected."

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.

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.


Some of the eight couples who had challenged a state law prohibiting gay marriages last month wept as Judge Jonathan Silbert entered his judgment that opened the way to the issuance of licenses.

"Today, Connecticut sends a message of hope an inspiration to lesbian and gay people throughout this country who simply want to be treated as equal citizens by their government," said the plaintiff's attorney, Bennett Klein.

The first license issued in New Haven went to plaintiffs Robin Levine-Ritterman and Barbara Levine-Ritterman, who have been together since 1989. A crowd of about 100 people outside city hall applauded as Barbara Levine-Ritterman proudly held up the license.

"It's thrilling today. We are all in one line for one form. Love is love, and the state recognizes it," she said.

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