Love Makes a Family: Love Makes a Family Home

Breaking News:
Marriage bill wins in Judiciary Committee!

The Judiciary Committee affirmed the Kerrigan Supreme Court decision—and the dignity and equality of same-sex couples-- by passing the marriage codification bill (SB 899) by a strong bipartisan vote of 30-10. It is our expectation that the bill will now move forward to the floor of the Senate in the coming weeks.Click here for the vote count

A long debate occurred over an amendment that would have allowed religious groups to be exempt from following the new marriage equality law. Proposed by Rep. Bruce Morris, it was defeated 20-16. We have fundamental religious freedom and the Kerrigan decision has not changed that. This amendment was unnecessary.
Click here for the vote count

A second amendment would have allowed justices of the peace, judges, and other state actors to discriminate against same-sex couples by not marrying them, and was offered by Rep. Minnie Gonzalez. This was plainly unconstitutional, and was rejected by a vote of 31-8.
Click here to for the vote count

A third amendment by Sen. McLachlan proposed to keep demeaning anti-gay language in state statutes was soundly defeated by a vote of 32-8.
Click here to for the vote count

--Download the fact sheet
--Read the bill & learn more here
--Testimony of Anne Stanback and GLAD Attorney Bennett Klein at the Public Hearing on SB899
--More public hearing testimony

Find Your Legislator

breaking news graphic

Changing from civil union to marriage
Danbury News-Times 03/30/09

Judiciary Committee Votes To Clean Up Marriage Laws
CT News Junkie 3/30/09

Tying the Knot—Or Not?
The Sound 3/29/09

Benefits for Gay Couples
New York Times 3/19/09

The Benefits of Fairness
Washington Post (editorial) 3/20/09

Same-sex couples still face discrimination at tax time
Bay Windows 3/18/09

Florists Can't Discriminate Against Gay Couples
Hartford Courant 3/16/09

Obama is on the Spot as Rulings Aid Gay Partners
New York Times 3/13/09

Don’t Legalize Discrimination
Hartford Courant, Letter to Editor 3/12/09

The Report: Gay unions won't be in census
Press-Telegram 3/8/09

Catholics Argue For Right To Refuse Goods, Services
The Hartford Courant 3/7/09

Faith Communities Embrace Same-Sex Couples Planning Weddings in Connecticut
Javen Swanson and Obadiah Ballinger met at Yale Divinity School in New Haven, Connecticut. Three years later they are engaged to be married in their home church. Listen to their wedding plans (and experiences as they shop for tuxedos!)

Tonia Laconte of CT on her experience as a transgender person: Anti-discrimination legislation is needed in our state!

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Proud member of
Community Works of Connecticut

Come to Lobby Day on April 7th and ask your legislator to support protections for transgender people in CT! Learn more here
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Meet State Rep. Denise Merrill in Storrs! A community meeting on transgender equality.
March 30th, 7pm
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Phone bank for trans equality! Hartford & New Haven __________________

Transgender Inclusion in the Workplace and the Law
at the Yale Law School, Room 128, New Haven, April 2nd at 6:30pm
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Let's party! Celebrate our marriage equality victory at the Four Points by Sheraton in Meriden from 8pm to midnight on April 18th!

Click here for tickets, sponsorships, ad book, and to get a room at the hotel for the event!

Blog Graphic

Harsh Realities for Transgender Students
Pam’s House Blend

Our lesbians to service in high-level federal government positions
Bilerico Project

African-American Community Should Embrace Gay Rights
The Huffington Post

Gays, lesbians more likely to be poor than straights: report
Study undermines ‘myth’ of gay affluence
Washington Blade

Is Uncle Sam Overcharging Gay Couples?
365gay.com

Separation Anxiety: Gay couples should be allowed to stay together in the U.S.
The Washington Post

Great Expectations
The Advocate

Making Churches Transgender Inclusive
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

With Gay Rights in the National Crosshairs, What Makes New England So Friendly?
Queerty
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GLAD files lawsuit in federal court to challenge the discriminatory DOMA!

Questions and Answers
on Gill et al. v. Department of Personnel Management
Click here

Meet the Gill plaintiffs: Each has been married in MA yet denied critical spousal protections under federal law
Click here

Summary of the Gill case
Click here

GLAD Attorney Mary Bonauto announces the legal challenge to DOMA at a morning press conference

“DOMA”: Federal Discrimination Against Same-Sex Married Couples (GLAD)

Have you been married in CT and are willing to tell your story on being denied federal marriage benefits? Contact carol@lmfct.org or 860-525-7777, x313

Allies Graphic

3rd Annual Dining Out for Life to benefit AIDS Project New Haven, 4/30

Transgender Lives: The Intersection of Health and Law Conference, 4/18/09 at the UConn Health Center. Click here to register

Another Octave, CT's Women's Chorus Events, 5/16
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VICTORY! On October 10, 2008, the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled in the Kerrigan case that same-sex couples should have the right to marry.

Read the Kerrigan decision HERE, and read the case documents HERE.
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FaithAction is a special program of Love Makes a Family for people of faith who support lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality. FaithAction advocates work for LGBT equality in their faith communities. Want to get involved in FaithAction? Click here.
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Bishop John Selders of the UCC reflects on the progress in Connecticut and in the nation on gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender civil rights, and urges people of faith to be strong voices for inclusion and legal protections for transgender people.

Read the moving testimony from parents, teachers, transgender folks, and allies at last week's public hearing before the Judiciary Committee

Learn more about efforts to pass the Gender Identity and Expression Non-Discrimination bill in CT this legislative session

Read HB6452: An Act Concerning Discrimination

Contact your legislator and urge their support for protections for transgender people.

Everyone Matters: Dignity and Safety for Transgender People

Whether you have a story of acceptance or discrimination or you are a supportive ally, tell us your story! We’ll use it to continue the conversation on why transgender and gender non-conforming people should be included in CT's anti-discrimination laws
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View Victory! Marriage Equality in Connecticut, our photo book capturing all the exhilaration and excitement of our marriage win. Click the book cover to see the pages. Want your own copy? It’s available for a $75 donation to LMF. Contact carol@lmfct.org or call 860-525-7777, x313.

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Connecticut Same-Sex Couples Tie the Knot!

See the photos of the happy couples here

Brad Kleinerman & Flint Gehre of Avon, with their sons. Married 3/6/09. Together for 18 years!

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Find photographers, clergy, DJs, justices of the peace, and more--
all ready and waiting to be a part of your wedding plans!

Check out our wedding catalog.

Watch CT same-sex couples describe their marriages and plans!

Maria & Lidia Agramonte-Gomez of New Britain were one of the first same-sex couples to marry in Connecticut in 11/08. Shortly after, Lidia was hospitalized. Watch them discuss how being married allowed them to be treated with dignity during this time.

Sarah Jo Burke and Karen Ryker of Woodstock, CT were in Ireland last October when they received an e-mail from Love Makes a Family telling them that the Connecticut Supreme Court had ruled that same-sex couples were free to marry. Watch them describe their marriage proposal!

Educational Resources

Research Reports

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The Love Makes a Family Foundation and Fran Rzeznik collaborated to produce Marriage Makes A Word of Difference. Watch it right on our website! Winner of an Audience Award at the 2008 CT Gay Lesbian Film Festival. Watch it here.

Overview Supporting Organizations Foundation Support

Contact Your Legislators Make a Donation Volunteer Join Our E-List Join CT Clergy for Marriage Equality Eat, Drink & Be Married!

Getting Married in CT Gender Identity & Expression Marriage Equality Overview CT Legislature Court Cases Research Reports Polling National GLBT Organizations

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