In the growing debate over gay marriage, the latest voice comes from an unexpected source: winemakers. Winemakers everywhere from Sonoma, California to Chicago to the Burgundy region of France have started to support gay marriage though wine sales. One of the most recent activists is Stein Family Wines, who launched a red blend called Same Sex Meritage. Portions of the proceeds of this blend are donated to the Freedom to Marry organization.
In France, the sparkling wine called Egalite has raised $15,000 in donations for an LGBT rights organization since its launch earlier this year. Other wineries include Stand Tall Wines, which donates one percent of the proceeds of sales of its Genetic Pinot Noir to Napa LBGTQ Project/ LGBTQ Connection, and Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, which has supported gay marriage rights for 25 years.
Connecticut is one of the few states where gay marriage is allowed. Under Connecticut law, any couple may marry if they meet the marriage requirements:
- Be 18 or older or have the approval of a parent, guardian or district judge
- Not be married or in a civil union with someone else in any state
- Not be closely related by blood or marriage
- Either not be under the supervision or control of a conservator or have approval from the conservator
Although same-sex marriage is legal in Connecticut, other states have varying levels of recognition. Because of state bans on same-sex marriage and varying attitudes towards it across the states, one of the best ways same-sex couples can protect themselves and uphold their marital rights is by drafting comprehensive prenuptial or postnuptial agreements, often called palimony agreements.
To ensure you consider all your rights to property, insurance, retirement benefits, alimony, child support and custody, a knowledgeable domestic relations attorney can help you draft an enforceable agreement.