The Connecticut Supreme Court ruled that the state cannot exclude same-sex couples from marriage. The Court held that preventing same-sex couples from marrying is unconstitutional discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The Court also held that the state’s civil union system for same-sex couples was inherently unequal because civil unions do not provide the same dignity, stature, and respect as marriage.

The plaintiff couples were represented by Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders and Maureen Murphy of Murphy, Murphy, Nugent in New Haven; Kenneth J. Bartschi of Horton, Shields & Knox in Hartford; and the Connecticut Civil Liberties Union. NCLR filed an amicus brief with other civil rights groups supporting the couples’ right to marry.