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The Montana Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the ACLU's domestic partnership case at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 13 in the University Theater at the University of Montana in Missoula.

The Montana Supreme Court picks a few cases this year to hear in venues outside its Helena courtroom. It chooses cases that it deems interesting and educational to law students and the general public to hold at the University of Montana near the law school and in a venue large enough to accommodate many interested observers. Our case, Donaldson and Guggenheim v. State of Montana, is certainly a such a case.

It will be a big day for the ACLU and for our "fabuliffs" -- Jan and Mary Anne, Kellie and Denise, Gary and Rick, Nancy and M.J., Stacey and Mary, and Mike and Rich. We hope you will join us in being witness to this historic event.

This case is about the right of all couples to care for and protect one another and to have standing under the law. Without recognition of domestic partnerships, same-sex couples are vulnerable when they need bereavement leave, face the illness or death of their partner or are presented with any other situation in which their lack of legally recognized status puts them in a position where a married husband or wife would be protected.

The Montana Constitution requires the state to treat all people fairly, including its gay and lesbian citizens.

We look forward to our day in court.