The Connecticut Supreme Court today ruled that the State Constitution requires the state to allow same sex couples to obtain civil marriage licenses.
"This is a proud day for the people of Connecticut, and a good day for the principle of equality," said Kathryn Kolbert, president of People For the American Way Foundation. "The Supreme Court's decision was grounded in constitutional principles and core American values. Discrimination is wrong. Unequal treatment under the law is wrong. Everyone deserves to be treated equally."
People For Foundation has long been an advocate for full equality for LGBT Americans, including marriage equality. In addition, People For the American Way Foundation has long challenged the lies and distortions used by opponents of LGBT rights to try to diminish support for marriage equality.
People For the American Way Foundation also released a guide to myths and facts about the impact of the decision.
MYTH #1: Churches in Connecticut will be forced to perform same-sex marriages, even if they don't want to.
FACT: No church will ever have to perform any marriage it disapproves of. That's protected in the First Amendment of the US Constitution and will never change.
MYTH #2: This isn't an issue that courts should get involved in.
FACT: The state Constitution requires equality under the law for all Connecticut residents, and the justices on the Court had an obligation to stand up for that principle, just like courts stood up for rights for women or the legality of interracial marriage. Throughout American history, courts have stood up for those whose rights are being violated. Those decisions were often unpopular, but now we look back on them proudly.
MYTH #3: This is bad for marriage.
FACT: This is great for marriage! When two people love each other and want to make a lifelong commitment to care for and be responsible for each other, they should be able to get married. Starting today, marriage will be stronger, not weaker. Stopping some people from getting married doesn't help anyone's marriage — it only hurts those who are discriminated against and their families. You can read more about People For's work promoting equal rights for all Americans here.