This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7725115.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Gay weddings to begin in US state | Gay weddings to begin in US state |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Same-sex couples in Connecticut have been given the go-ahead to apply for marriage licences after a court ruling. | Same-sex couples in Connecticut have been given the go-ahead to apply for marriage licences after a court ruling. |
| Soon after the decision, Barbara and Robin Levine-Ritterman became the first gay couple to apply for a licence. | Soon after the decision, Barbara and Robin Levine-Ritterman became the first gay couple to apply for a licence. |
| The state's supreme court decided in October that limiting marriage to heterosexuals was unconstitutional. | The state's supreme court decided in October that limiting marriage to heterosexuals was unconstitutional. |
| Courts in Massachusetts and California have also ruled in favour of gay marriage, although voters in California recently approved a law banning it. | Courts in Massachusetts and California have also ruled in favour of gay marriage, although voters in California recently approved a law banning it. |
| 'Fundamental right' | 'Fundamental right' |
| Connecticut Superior Court Judge Jonathan Silbert ruled on Wednesday that same-sex couples may pick up marriage licence forms at town and city clerks' offices throughout the state. | Connecticut Superior Court Judge Jonathan Silbert ruled on Wednesday that same-sex couples may pick up marriage licence forms at town and city clerks' offices throughout the state. |
| "It's a great day for Connecticut," said Robin Levine-Ritterman after the hearing. | "It's a great day for Connecticut," said Robin Levine-Ritterman after the hearing. |
| Some couples may get married as early as Wednesday. | Some couples may get married as early as Wednesday. |
| Map of same-sex marriage in US | Map of same-sex marriage in US |
| The move follows years of legal wrangling, which culminated in the state's supreme court ruling on 10 October that a ban on gay marriage infringed a "fundamental right" of same-sex couples. | The move follows years of legal wrangling, which culminated in the state's supreme court ruling on 10 October that a ban on gay marriage infringed a "fundamental right" of same-sex couples. |
| The Connecticut ruling has been welcomed by gay marriage supporters, who were dealt a blow on 4 November when California voters approved an amendment to the state's constitution banning gay marriage. | The Connecticut ruling has been welcomed by gay marriage supporters, who were dealt a blow on 4 November when California voters approved an amendment to the state's constitution banning gay marriage. |
| The vote has thrown into doubt the marital status of the thousands of same-sex couples who took advantage of a court ruling in May legalising same-sex marriage. | The vote has thrown into doubt the marital status of the thousands of same-sex couples who took advantage of a court ruling in May legalising same-sex marriage. |
| Protests have taken place throughout the state, and activists have vowed to challenge the ban in the courts. | Protests have taken place throughout the state, and activists have vowed to challenge the ban in the courts. |
| California's Attorney General, Jerry Brown, has insisted that all same-sex marriages carried out between the May court ruling and the passage of the ban will probably remain valid. | |
| Return to story | Return to story |