Connecticut continues its "tradition of tolerance and freedom from discrimination" by codifying same-sex marriage rights

There's been a lot of buzz over the past couple weeks about the progress of same-sex marriage in Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. But, we can't overlook Connecticut. Last October, the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled that the state's civil unions law wasn't enough:

We conclude that, in light of the history of pernicious discrimination faced by gay men and lesbians, and because the institution of marriage carries with it a status and significance that the newly created classification of civil unions does not embody, the segregation of heterosexual and homosexual couples into separate institutions constitutes a cognizable harm.

Same-sex marriages began on November 12, 2008 without a whiff of protest or controversy.

The Connecticut legislature just put the Supreme Court's ruling into statute and Republican Governor Jodi Rell signed that bill into law. The Hartford Courant expressed strong support for those actions:

The bill codifying a state Supreme Court ruling opening the door to same-gender marriage in Connecticut was passed in late April, and Gov. M. Jodi Rell has signed it. We take note of the big margins in favor of the legislation — 100-44 in the state House and 28-7 in the Senate - and tip our hat to elected leaders who kept uppermost the idea of equality before the law.

Approval of the measure was consistent with Connecticut's tradition of tolerance and freedom from discrimination.

The bill was not passed until language exempting religious organizations from having to participate in gay weddings if they do not accept homosexuality was unnecessarily added to a text that already protected religious liberties.

And, one last comment from the chair of House Judiciary Committee, Mike Lawlor, one of the people who made all of this happen in Connecticut:

The legislation does Connecticut proud. This state is one of the first to resolve this sensitive and contentious issue. State Rep. Michael Lawlor observed that "this is probably the last time these issues will ever be discussed in the state legislature." We hope so. Let's move on.

Connecticut can move on. Other states need to get to the same place.