Same-Sex Marriage in Connecticut
LegalMatch Law Library Managing Editor, Ken LaMance, Attorney at Law 
Types of Same-Sex Partnerships in the U.S.
Same-sex relationships in the United States enjoy varying degrees of legal recognition. Because the federal government mostly stays out of the family law arena, recognition of same-sex marriage is currently a decision made by individual states.
Some states provide full marriage rights for same-sex couples, which are legally indistinguishable from marriage for opposite-sex couples. Others offer alternative legal arrangements, which provide some or most of the rights and responsibilities of civil marriage, but go by another name. Most, however, do not have any legal recognition of same-sex unions.
Same-Sex Marriage in Connecticut
In November of 2008, Connecticut became the second state in the U.S. to legalize same-sex marriage, and there have been no significant efforts to repeal this law.
Accordingly, same-sex couples who marry in Connecticut have the exact same rights as opposite-sex couples. The precise rights and benefits afforded by marriage vary by state.
Federal Complications
A federal law, known as the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) bars the federal government from recognizing state-sanctioned same-sex marriages. This affects federal benefits such as social security pensions, veteran’s benefits, and benefits for spouses of federal employees, among others. Also, if you or your partner serves in the armed forces, entering into any legal union for same-sex couples triggers the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” rule, and could result in being discharged.
Do I Need an Attorney?
Because the situation with same-sex marriage remains in a state of flux, and the conflict with federal law can make things very complicated, it might be helpful for you to contact an experienced Family Law Attorney in Connecticut, if you have any questions about your rights or those of your partner.
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Last Modified: 12-21-2010 08:47 AM PST
