Conn. state Web site removes church links

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HARTFORD, Conn., July 16 (UPI) -- Links to churches that welcome gay members have been removed from a Connecticut state government Web site, officials said.

A spokesman for the Department of Children and Families said Wednesday officials decided "questions of separation of church and state did come into play" with the links to "open and affirming churches,"

The Hartford Courant reported.

The links were challenged by the Family Institute of Connecticut.

"We said all along that if same-sex marriage was imposed in Connecticut, the next thing that would happen would be an effort to re-educate Connecticut children," institute's Executive Director Peter Wolfgang said. "That's what today's victory was all about: making sure they don't try and re-indoctrinate children into accepting lifestyles and beliefs that their parents are utterly opposed to."

The institute also wants True Colors, a group that trains state social workers in gay issues, to avoid mentioning "open and affirming churches." Robin McHaelen, executive director of True Colors, said the group believes its trainers can respond when asked for factual information but said it is seeking legal advice.