Media Advisory October 10, 2008
NLGJA News > News Releases > October 10, 2008

Connecticut Supreme Court Decision on Same-Sex Marriage

In a 4-3 decision, the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled today that the state's ban on permitting marriage rights for same-sex couples was discriminatory. In an 85-page decision the state's highest court determined that Connecticut's civil unions did not create protections equal to those available to heterosexual married couples.

Same-sex couples will likely be allowed to marry by the end of the year.

On November 4, 2008, voters in Connecticut will decide whether to hold a constitutional convention. According to an article posted on Courant.com, the Web site of the Hartford Courant newspaper, "[those] in favor of the convention want direct initiative, which would allow for a statewide referendum on same-sex marriage by all voters."

In 2003, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that same-sex couples have the right to marry under state law, and marriages commenced in May 2004. The California Supreme Court in May issued a similar ruling, and voters there will decide a ballot measure that would overrule the court decision. Marriages began this summer.

While California's Proposition 8 has received widespread national media attention, voters in other states will consider marriage-related initiatives this November.

Florida's ballot includes a constitutional amendment that says: "No other legal union that is treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent thereof shall be valid or recognized."

And Arizona voters will consider a constitutional amendment that says: "Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state."

NLGJA reminds journalists, bloggers, columnists and media analysts the important role they play in giving citizens the information they need to understand the full impact that today's ruling will have in their communities and across the country.

Journalists covering the issues of same-sex marriage, civil unions and partnership rights should familiarize themselves with specifics of the Connecticut case, the history of other cases involving marriage rights for LGBT individuals and the 1996 federal Defense of Marriage Act.

NLGJA offers a variety of resources and guides for journaslists reporting on LGBT people and issues, including our Stylebook Supplement on LGBT Terminology.  

NLGJA is an organization of journalists, media professionals, educators and students working from within the news industry to foster fair and accurate coverage of LGBT issues. NLGJA opposes all forms of workplace bias and provides professional development to its members.

Media Contacts:

David Steinberg
National President
Mobile: 510-708-7004
president@nlgja.org

Thomas Cashman Avila
Deputy Executive Director
Office: 202-588-9888, ext. 17
Mobile : 202-906-9885
tavila@nlgja.org