Today, the Connecticut Supreme Court overturned a state ban on same-sex marriage, making Connecticut the third state in the Union to allow same-sex marriage.
In a 4-3 decision, the Court held the state’s current marriage laws discriminate against same-sex couples:
"Interpreting our state constitutional provisions in accordance with firmly established equal protection principles leads inevitably to the conclusion that gay persons are entitled to marry the otherwise qualified same sex partner of their choice," Justice Richard N. Palmer wrote in the majority opinion that overturned a lower court finding.”
Importantly (as of today, more so than yesterday) there is an initiative on the Connecticut November ballot calling for a Connecticut constitutional convention. With the new court decision, the only way same-sex marriage could now be overturned in Connecticut would be through constitutional amendment. A convention would give opponents to same-sex marriage a venue for such an amendment.
Looks like Connecticut voters have a new and important choice on the ballot in November. The choice to vote for or against a new state constitutional convention now takes on a whole new meaning.
