Connecticut to legalize same-sex marriage

HARTFORD, Conn., Oct. 29 (UPI) -- Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal says he expects his state to officially legalize same-sex marriages early next month.

Blumenthal said Tuesday that thanks to a landmark state Supreme Court decision, Connecticut will allow same-sex marriages to occur and those entering into such unions should be treated the same as individuals in opposite-sex marriages, the Connecticut Post reported.

"Sometime during the week of Nov. 10 we anticipate same-sex couples will be married in Connecticut," he said. "The simple answer to many of the questions that we've been asked is that they'll be treated under the law exactly the same way as opposite-sex marriages."

The state Supreme Court's ruling came in the case of Kerrigan et al; Mock v. Connecticut Department of Public Health, in which eight same-sex couples were attempting to earn the right to marry.

A final judgment on the matter is not expected until Nov. 10 and the official ruling may not be entered until two days later, the Post said.

Gay right advocates say up to 1,700 gay and lesbian couples are expected to take advantage of the new state law once it goes into effect.