Connecticut was the second U.S. state to enact two major pieces of pro-LGBTQ legislation; the repeal of the sodomy law in 1971 and the legalization of same-sex marriage in 2008.
The statute was enforced inconsistently, however; for example, in 1677 Nicholas Sension was sentenced in the town of Windsor to "good behavior for the rest of his life", escaping the death penalty most likely due to his wealth.
[1] Legislative commission reports in 1967 and 1968 recommended the repeal of the sodomy law because it "deterred deviates from seeking psychiatric help" and it "was enforced only by 'capricious selection', which encourages blackmail."
A comprehensive criminal code was passed in 1969, which abrogated common-law crimes and repealed the sodomy law in relation to consensual acts, and took effect in 1971.
[8] In May 2018, the Connecticut Department of Children and Families launched a campaign designed with encouraging same-sex couples to apply to become adoptive parents.
[10] Connecticut law requires the Office of Vital Records to issue birth certificates to intended parents in a gestational surrogacy arrangement.
Moreover, the state's anti-bullying law prohibits bullying on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, socio-economic status, academic status, physical appearance, mental, physical, developmental and sensory disability and association with an individual or group of people that have one or more of such characteristics.
[18] In June 2023, a bill passed the Connecticut Legislature that "reforms and updates" the archaic definition of sexual orientation within the code - that was implemented back in 1991.
[19][20] All citizens under state law are protected from hate crimes motivated by sexual orientation and gender identity or expression, alongside other categories.
[22][23] The Department of Public Health will issue an updated birth certificate with the corrected sex designation upon receipt of a notarized affidavit completed by the applicant requesting the change and a notarized affidavit from a licensed physician, advanced practice registered nurse or psychologist stating that the applicant has undergone appropriate clinical treatment (such as hormone therapy).
[27][28] In April 2021, a federal judge dismissed the 2020 high profile lawsuits regarding transgender individuals playing sports and athletics within Connecticut.
This automatically triggered a wave of 50+ bills across various state legislatures of the US and US Congress - about legally banning transgender individuals playing sports and athletics.
[33][34][35][36] In July 2021, Governor of Connecticut signed a bill into law that implemented state-based LGBTQ discharged veteran's military benefits.
[38] A 2022 Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) poll found that 81% of Connecticut residents supported same-sex marriage, while 18% were opposed and 1% were unsure.