Statement from Governor Malloy:
“The Supreme Court today reaffirmed the core principles of our country–that all people are created equal and have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
“Although the State of Connecticut has recognized marriage equality for same-sex couples since 2008, a discriminatory federal law known as DOMA prevented these legally married couples from being recognized by the U.S. government, thus being denied a host of rights that are afforded to all other married couples.
“Having two different sets of laws for people based solely on their gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity is wrong, and that’s exactly what the Supreme Court recognized today. Simply put, today’s ruling comes down to equality, and when equality wins, we all win.
“With this ruling, I implore every state to give full faith and credit to valid same-sex marriages. Every Connecticut resident deserves to have their marriage recognized as they travel among the states for work, vacation and family visits. A marriage should not be a right that you gain and lose on a road trip across the country.
“My wife Cathy and I proudly join with all of our friends, both gay and straight, to celebrate today’s ruling and its recognition of justice for all.”
Today’s ruling is huge. Prop 8 knocked down gives the largest state, California, the right for gays to marry making California the 13th state as well as receiving over 1000 benefits that were never allowed to gay married couples in New York and Connecticut etc. The Republican party as well as Cardinal Dolan, Mike Huckabee, John Boehner etc. reacted as expected giving the telltale signs of the future of the party and the Church. When marriage equality passed in Connecticut years ago, Republican Gov. Jodi Rell signed it into law with very little protest and fanfare. The sky did not fall. I would say there will be a tidal wave of change in the 37 states that have a ban in place. I have to admit it was sad seeing 70- and 80-year-old couples that have waited a lifetime to receive any benefits or receive validation of their lives and loves. This was a good day for the United States as well as Australia and VietNam, Scotland, Ireland and England looking to put marriage equality on the fast track. Marriage equality is a global event where the more educated the society, the more hope LGBT communities have for equality. The louder the Church protests as well as the Republican party the more apt they are to become lost in the dustbins of history. It is ironic that of all of the Christian faiths, the Catholics have the strongest support for marriage equality, it is a shame spokespeople like Cardinal Dolan paint a different picture. Now, if there are any Republicans on this blog, how are you going to change your platform to become more inclusive?