On October 28, Attorney General Blumenthal answered the questions we've been asking about the ramifications of the recent CT Supreme Court ruling on gay marriages. His opinion contains some surprises:

• Justices of the Peace may not refuse to perform a marriage because the couple is gay, as that would be discriminatory.
• The status of existing civil unions in Connecticut remains the same with all their rights.
• Same-sex couples need not dissolve civil unions before marrying each other but must take the additional step of getting married.
• The state will continue to grant both same-sex marriages and civil unions under current law.
• Connecticut will continue to recognize out-of-state civil unions and will now also recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages.
• The Superior Court is expected to implement marriage for same sex couples on or about Nov. 10.

This topic will be foremost on the agenda of the Justice of the Peace Association conferences on the mornings of

• November 8 at Bristol City Hall and on
• November 15 at the Norwalk Inn and Conference Center.