Connecticut

HARTFORD, Conn. -- A Connecticut bill that would restore state benefits to gay and lesbian veterans discharged under the U.S. military's former "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy is moving to the governor's desk. [ Read more → ]

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Connecticut lawmakers are seeking to restore state benefits to gay and lesbian veterans discharged under the U.S. military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. On Wednesday, the Senate voted 34-0 in favor of legislation making veterans eligible for state benefits if they've been... [ Read more → ]

WOLCOTT, Conn. -- Officials in a Connecticut school district have backed down in a fight over free speech rights, allowing a student to wear a T-shirt bearing an anti-gay message. [ Read more → ]

Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy on Thursday nominated State Sen. Andrew J. McDonald to the state's Supreme Court. If confirmed by the legislature, he would become the first openly gay justice of the state Supreme Court. [ Read more → ]

The fact is that 20 sets of parents got the call I most fear, and that without warning the precious looks, kisses, hugs, innocent conversations and happiness that are my heart and soul treasures can abruptly end and be removed, forever. This event was terrorism because so many of us feel the searing pain of the poor families who are facing the reality of their loss. I wish to my soul that I could spare them the pain they feel, I wish it more than any other thing this Christmas, and take little solace in the fact that I get to hug my boys and take them in my arms still. [ Read more → ]

James Dobson dedicated his radio program this morning to discussing Friday's tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary school in Connecticut, which he attributed to the fact that God has "allowed judgment to fall upon us" because the nation has turned its back on him by accepting things like abortion and gay marriage. [ Read more → ]

The Westboro Baptist Church, home of anti-gay extremists and the "Gods Hate Fags" fundamentalist movement, announced via Twitter on Sunday plans to picket at the scene of the Newtown, Conn., elementary school shooting. [ Read more → ]

Unspeakable tragedy, horrific crime, inexplicable -- all words that inadequately describe the evil that was visited on a small New England town and its most vulnerable citizens Friday, its children. ... My heart breaks for those families, who at what now should be a season of joy for them, have been forever marred by the violence visited upon them. [ Read more → ]

HRC: “The entire HRC family mourns today’s horrific tragedy in Newtown. We extend condolences, thoughts and prayers to the families of the victims as well as to the entire state of Connecticut which is still reeling from this senseless act violence." [ Read more → ]

The state of Vermont on Friday joined New York and Connecticut in asking a federal appeals court to rule that the law defining marriage as between a man and a woman is unconstitutional. [ Read more → ]

HARTFORD, Conn. -- A federal judge in Connecticut on Tuesday said the Defense of Marriage Act, the federal law which defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman, violates the U.S. Constitution’s right to equal protection. [ Read more → ]

NEW BRITAIN, Conn. -- A lesbian student at Central Connecticut State University, who claimed she was harassed by an anonymous person who left threatening, anti-gay notes under her door, has been charged with writing the notes herself. [ Read more → ]

It was a big night for many openly gay and lesbian candidates across the nation, with several races resulting in first-time victories for openly LGBT candidates in several state and local governments. [ Read more → ]

NEW LONDON, Conn. -- In an historic contest, voters in New London, Conn., chose a political newcomer, openly gay attorney Daryl Justin Finizio as the city's first elected mayor in nearly nine decades. [ Read more → ]

HARTFORD, Conn. -- School officials at Hartford High School are catching some flack, but standing by their decision to allow production of a gay-themed play, and even made attendance mandatory for some of its students. [ Read more → ]

Rachel Aviles was one of the most popular kids at The Master's School, a K-12 Christian school in West Simsbury. But when Aviles admitted to administrators that she is a lesbian, she was encouraged to withdraw from the school... [ Read more → ]

Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy this week signed legislation prohibiting discrimination on the basis of gender identity and expression. [ Read more → ]

The Connecticut state Senate early Saturday morning passed a bill that would provide protections from gender identity discrimination under the state's anti-discrimination laws. [ Read more → ]

U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Wednesday sent a letter to Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, asking him to uphold an April decision allowing same-sex ceremonies to be held at naval facilities. Connecticut is home the Naval Subase New London. [ Read more → ]

The Connecticut Supreme Court has ruled in favor of a gay couple who were denied parental rights by the state after they used a surrogate to give birth to their child. The court's decision is being hailed as a victory for both same-sex couples and any other parents that use surrogates. [ Read more → ]