News

Connecticut Denial of Civil Union Recognition Stands
— February 3, 2003

In late December, the Connecticut Supreme Court officially dismissed Glen Rosengarten's lawsuit seeking legal dissolution of a Vermont civil union he had entered into two years earlier. Despite his death in early November, Mr. Rosengarten's attorneys had attempted to continue the appeal, arguing that the case had broad significance for other Connecticut residents with civil union licenses from Vermont.

In July of last year, the Connecticut Court of Appeals denied recognition of the relationship for purposes of dissolution saying that the civil union was not a "marriage" or a "family relations matter" under Connecticut law. The court went on to hold that the Vermont civil union violated Connecticut public policy supporting marriage.

The Connecticut Supreme Court agreed in September to hear the appeal, but the case had not yet been argued when Rosengarten died of HIV-related complications. Because the civil union was dissolved upon Rosengarten's death, the court dismissed the case as moot, leaving the appellate court ruling to stand.

Source: Press Release, "Case Seeking to Establish Civil Unions in Connecticut Dismissed Due to Death," Liberty Counsel, January 28, 2003.