Conservatives Tossed From Gay Marriage Suit
Conservatives Tossed From Gay Marriage Suit
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: March 6, 2005 4:02 pm ET
(New Haven, Connecticut) A conservative Christian group has been turned down in its bid to be heard at a suit challenging Connecticut's ban on same-sex marriage.
A New Haven Superior Court judge has denied the Family Institute of Connecticut's request to become a party in the suit brought by seven same-sex couples seeking the right to marry.
Judge Patty Jenkins Pittman ruled that the Institute had failed to prove that it has an interest in the case that is different from the interest of the public as a whole.
Pittman also denied a request from two Eastern Connecticut town clerks to enter the case. The clerks said their opposition to same-sex marriage would prevent them from issuing marriage licenses to gay couples.
Gay & Lesbian Advocates and Defenders, the Boston-based group that won marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples in Massachusetts, launched the suit last August on behalf of the seven couples from across Connecticut who were denied marriage licenses in Madison, Connecticut.
“We’re pleased that we can now focus on the merits of the case: loving, committed, same-sex couples seek to end Connecticut’s discrimination against them and their families,” said GLAD attorney Bennett Klein.
Klein said he is confident GLAD will win the case. “The equality provisions of the Connecticut Constitution forbid the state from denying marriage rights to gay and lesbian couples. The plaintiffs must be treated equally under the law,” he said.
Last month a key committee of the Connecticut legislature endorsed a bill that would allow civil unions but not marriage in the state. Opposition from a group advocating same-sex marriage rights which initially opposed the bill saying it was only a half measure last week withdrew its objections.
©365Gay.com 2005
http://www.365gay.com/newscon05/03/030605connCourt.htm
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: March 6, 2005 4:02 pm ET
(New Haven, Connecticut) A conservative Christian group has been turned down in its bid to be heard at a suit challenging Connecticut's ban on same-sex marriage.
A New Haven Superior Court judge has denied the Family Institute of Connecticut's request to become a party in the suit brought by seven same-sex couples seeking the right to marry.
Judge Patty Jenkins Pittman ruled that the Institute had failed to prove that it has an interest in the case that is different from the interest of the public as a whole.
Pittman also denied a request from two Eastern Connecticut town clerks to enter the case. The clerks said their opposition to same-sex marriage would prevent them from issuing marriage licenses to gay couples.
Gay & Lesbian Advocates and Defenders, the Boston-based group that won marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples in Massachusetts, launched the suit last August on behalf of the seven couples from across Connecticut who were denied marriage licenses in Madison, Connecticut.
“We’re pleased that we can now focus on the merits of the case: loving, committed, same-sex couples seek to end Connecticut’s discrimination against them and their families,” said GLAD attorney Bennett Klein.
Klein said he is confident GLAD will win the case. “The equality provisions of the Connecticut Constitution forbid the state from denying marriage rights to gay and lesbian couples. The plaintiffs must be treated equally under the law,” he said.
Last month a key committee of the Connecticut legislature endorsed a bill that would allow civil unions but not marriage in the state. Opposition from a group advocating same-sex marriage rights which initially opposed the bill saying it was only a half measure last week withdrew its objections.
©365Gay.com 2005
http://www.365gay.com/newscon05/03/030605connCourt.htm
posted by JimG at 7:10 PM
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