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| Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders |
GLAD - Marriage
Kerrigan & Mock v. CT Dept. of Public Health
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The Plaintiff Couples
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Elizabeth (Beth) Kerrigan and Joanne (Jody) Mock
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Elizabeth (Beth) Kerrigan (left), 52, and Joanne (Jody) Mock (right), 53, of West Hartford, are committed partners of 13 years and parents of six-year-old twin sons, Carlos and Fernando.
And it is the concern for their family that particularly compels them to seek the right to marry.
"We're doing everything we can to make sure the boys are safe, secure and loved," said Jody.
"Marriage is certainly part of that, because only marriage will provide our family with the full package of legal and social protections that other children of married parents enjoy."
Learn more about Beth and Jody
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Damaris Navarro and Gloria Searson |
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Damaris Navarro, 47, and Gloria Searson, 48, of West Haven, have been dedicated partners for 13 years.
They are committed to raising four children, 22-year-old Kwamé, eighteen-year-old Tourí, nineteen-year-old Nathaniel and eight-year-old Starneisha.
While the couple had a civil union in Vermont in 2001 not being able to marry has presented a variety of problems for them.
"We have worked hard to provide our children with a stable and loving home.
Not being able to marry makes Damaris and I feel like outsiders and substandard citizens."
Learn more about Damaris and Gloria
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Carol Conklin and Janet Peck
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Carol Conklin (left), 54, and Janet Peck (right), 56, of Colchester, believe that only marriage reflects the love, respect, devotion and deep level of commitment they have shared for 32 years.
Since they've become a committed couple, they've brought their family and friends together to celebrate their tenth, twentieth and thirtieth anniversaries.
"I feel in my heart that we have been married for 32 years," said Janet, "but the fact is, we are still denied the right to marry."
Learn more about Janet and Carol...
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Geraldine and Suzanne Artis
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Geraldine Artis (left), 37, and Suzanne Artis (right), 36, of Clinton, fell in love 13 years ago and share a deep partnership, finding joy, strength and understanding in one another.
Their commitment encompasses their shared values, which extend to their three children, nine-year-old Geras and seven-year-old twins, Zanagee and Gezani.
"Marrying will complete the dream of our family," says Geraldine, "a family we are building based on love, responsibility, honesty and respect."
Learn more about Geraldine and Suzanne...
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Barbara and Robin Levine-Ritterman |
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Barbara Levine-Ritterman, 54, and Robin Levine-Ritterman, 48, have been living in a committed and loving partnership since 1989.
The parents of Maya (age 12) and Joshua (age 10), they have faced a challenge unfortunately familiar to many families: Barb's breast cancer, which was diagnosed in June, 2004.
"Barb's illness mades us treasure our relationship even more, but it also mades us realize how vulnerable our family is without the legal protections of marriage," said Robin.
Robin cut back on her work schedule as a naturopathic physician and acupuncturist to help Barb, owner of a computer business, during her recovery from surgery and chemotherapy.
Learn more about Barbara and Robin...
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Stephen Davis and Jeffrey Busch
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Stephen Davis (left), 55, and Jeffrey Busch (right), 44, of Wilton, have been in a loving, committed relationship since 1989.
For the two of them, as Stephen said, "Marriage is the only institution that is big enough for our love, and we want to formalize that love, commitment and responsibility in marriage."
The two spent several years together in New York City, where Jeffrey is still an administrative judge and part-time legal services lawyer.
Stephen runs the digital library program at Columbia University where he has worked since 1988.
In 1997, they moved to Wilton, Jeffrey's childhood home, with the dream of building a family.
Their son, Elijah (Eli) Davis Busch, was born in August 2002.
In naming their son Elijah, a Jewish symbol of hope, they honored Jeffrey's Aunt Hope, who died shortly before Eli was born.
Learn more about Stephen and Jeffrey...
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J.E. Martin and Denise Howard
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J.E. Martin (left), 45, and Denise Howard (right), 50, of Stratford, have been a committed couple for 17 years, and are the adoring parents of 10-year-old Rachel and 7-year-old Ross.
Like most other families, they've shared many joys but have also shared challenges that have been more difficult to navigate without the protections of marriage.
Denise's father passed away in 2005, and her mother recently moved to a senior housing complex, so Denise pitches in with other family members whenever she's needed.
Like many couples of their generation, J.E. and Denise face the co-issues of aging parents, young children, and an uncertain economy that doesn't fully protect them should one of them face a job lay-off or economic hardship.
Learn more about J.E. and Denise...
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John Anderson and Garrett Stack
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John Anderson (left), 64, and Garrett Stack (right), 60, of Woodbridge, have built a life together for 27 years.
Garrett, a Connecticut native, met John at an education conference in 1980, and they settled in Garrett's Woodbridge home two years later.
After committing so much of their adult lives to one another, John and Garrett want to memorialize their commitment in a marriage and attain the financial and legal security that only marriage brings.
"I met someone, fell in love, and we have built a life together for nearly 27 years," said Garrett.
"That's why I want to get married until death do us part."
Added John: "We're getting older and as we become more vulnerable physically, it is even more important to us to have the financial and legal security that only marriage brings."
Learn more about John and Garrett...
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Photo Credits: Mainframe Photographics Inc., © 2004, All rights reserved
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'Freedom to Marry Rings' image upper right © H. Mitchell.
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