Articles from the Constitution State
Collaboration in Bridgeport
The Bridgeport Pride Center and Kids in Crisis marked a new chapter in LGBTQ+ youth support with their first Community Collaboration Event on November 7. Cohosted with the Leonard Litz Foundation (which funds LGBTQ+ nonprofits) and Lighthouse (a Kids in Crisis program), the gathering celebrated an expanded partnership to strengthen resources for queer youth across Bridgeport and Fairfield County.
The Bridgeport Pride Center serves as a key hub for LGBTQIA+ residents, offering counseling, support groups, educational workshops and social events in a safe, affirming environment. Lighthouse complements this mission through peer-to-peer programming for students who face marginalization or discrimination, using art, games, discussion and community-building to promote confidence and resiliency. The program operates in several towns, including Bridgeport, Darien, Stamford, Ridgefield, Westport and Wilton.
The collaboration comes at a critical time, as LGBTQ+ youth continue to confront bullying, isolation, and heightened mental-health risks. The next Bridgeport Lighthouse meeting is set for January 22, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., at the Pride Center, 166 Elm Street.
Safe state to honeymoon
Connecticut scored an 11-way tie as the eighth safest US state for same-sex couple to honeymoon in the wedding publication Love Inc. In New England, the tie also included Maine and Rhode Island, with Massachusetts taking the #1 spot, Vermont at #4 and New Hampshire #19.
The study looked at laws across all 50 US states plus DC so rate and rank how safe, affirming and inclusive each state is for LGBTQ+ honeymooners.
Reports Love Inc., “Connecticut remains a model of equality and inclusion in the Northeast. It was one of the first states to legalize same-sex marriage and continues to lead with strong protections, inclusive healthcare, and visible community engagement. Couples will find a perfect blend of coastal charm, historic towns, and refined hospitality—all within a deeply affirming legal and social environment.
What LGBTQ+ honeymooners should know: the entire state is affirming, but standout honeymoon spots include coastal Mystic for romantic getaways, Litchfield Hills for countryside elegance, and New Haven for culture and cuisine. You can travel anywhere in Connecticut with complete peace of mind — equality here isn’t just policy, it’s culture.”
More: loveincmag.com
Top scores in New Haven & Norwalk
Human Rights Campaign Foundation released its 14th edition of the Municipal Equality Index (MEI) — the only comprehensive nationwide assessment of LGBTQ+ equality in the areas of municipal policies, laws and services.
In 2025, a record-breaking 132 cities achieved perfect 100-point scores, and in Connecticut, New Haven and Norwalk where among them.
Stamford came in closely, scoring 99, with Hartford at 85, New Britain 81, Storrs (Mansfield) 65, Waterbury 54, Fairfield 52 and Bridgeport at 40.
“We champion LGBTQ+ equity because it’s the right thing. It’s a proud day for New Haven that we were acknowledged by some other very high-level organization that takes a lot of care to give the right grades to people. It means not only that we’re doing the right thing, but also that we have more work to do,” said New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker.
“Our cities are showing us the way forward, demonstrating that even as attacks on our community intensify, hope and determination can create sanctuaries of inclusion,” said HRC Foundation President Kelley Robinson. “Our cities are showing us the way forward, demonstrating that even as attacks on our community intensify, hope and determination can create sanctuaries of inclusion.”
For a breakdown and interpretation of the stats in detail, visit hrc.org/resources/municipal-equality-index.
More cuts for Yale?
The US State Department issued a proposal in November to suspend 38 universities—including Yale, Harvard and Stanford—from its Diplomacy Lab research program over their DEI hiring practices, according to a leaked memo reported by The Guardian. The universities say they’ve received no formal notice, while Yale maintains it complies with all federal laws, according to a report in the Guardian.
The proposal, part of the Trump administration’s broader anti-DEI push, was to take effect January 1, 2026.