Legal News

Same-sex marriage becomes legal in DC

Same-sex couples can start applying for marriage licenses in Washington.

Supporters say couples plan to line up before the city's marriage bureau opens at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, and court officials have been told to expect up to 200 people.

Washington is now the sixth place in the nation where gay marriages can take place. Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont also issue licenses to same-sex couples.

Because of a mandatory waiting period, couples won't actually be able to marry in the District of Columbia until March 9.

The D.C. Council passed a bill in December that allows gay couples to wed. The bill then underwent a congressional review period, which ended Tuesday.

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Connecticut Same Sex Marriage Ruled OK by Supreme Court

Connecticut's Supreme Court has ruled that same-sex couples have the right to marry, making that state the third behind Massachusetts and California to legalize such unions.

The court agreed with the plaintiffs, who said the state's marriage law discriminates against them because it applies only to heterosexual couples, therefore denying gay couples the financial, social and emotional benefits of marriage.

Eight same-sex couples sued in 2004, saying their constitutional rights to equal protection and due process were violated when they were denied marriage licenses.

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