Today, “Gay Marriage” took a step forward, helping to equalize the standings from the backward step of California’s passage of Proposition 8.  Effective today, Connecticut has become state number two in the United States to allow same-sex couples marriage rights; Massachusetts is the only other state to allow for such marriage rights.

Several States allow for Civil Unions or recognize marriages performed in other jurisdictions.  For example, if a same sex couple were to marry in Connecticut or Massachusetts, the State of New Mexico would recognize the marriage, the law applicable states:

All marriages celebrated beyond the limits of this state, which are valid according to the laws of the country wherein they were celebrated or contracted, shall be likewise valid in this state, and shall have the same force as if they had been celebrated in accordance with the laws in force in this state. - NMSA

Other states which recognize domestic partnership or civil union include Vermont, New Jersey and New Hampshire.  Several jurisdictions offer limited recognition of same sex couplings such as Maine, Washington, Maryland and the District of Columbia.

For more information on the Connecticut’s legalization of same-sex marriage, see CNN’s article: Connecticut Supreme Court legalizes same-sex marriage - CNN.com.