Six same-sex couples from Montana are seeking recognition of their relationships as domestic partnerships in the state. The American Civil Liberties Union appeared in court this week on behalf of the couples, in a case that was filed back in July of 2010.

The case, Donaldson and Guggenheim v. State of Montana, is controversial in Montana, a state that defines marriage as being between a man and a woman. The lawsuit seeks to protect same-sex couples and their families under the state constitution's rights of privacy. Among those couples are the six mentioned in the lawsuit: Mary Anne Guggenheim and Jan Donaldson of Helena, Stacey Haugland and Mary Leslie of Bozeman, Mike Long and Rich Parker of Bozeman, MJ Williams and Nancy Owens of Basin, Rick Wagner and Gary Stallings of Butte, Denise Boettcher and Kellie Gibson of Laurel, and Casey Charles and David Wilson of Missoula.

According to KAJ18.com, "The ACLU says the goal of the lawsuit is to ensure that same-sex couples and their families have access to the same legal protections that opposite-sex couples are offered through marriage."

But while the American Civil Liberties Union has asked the judge to rule on the case without a trial, Montana's Attorney General Steve Bullock is not having it. Bullock has made a motion for the case to be dismissed, claiming that spousal benefits are limited by the official definition of marriage in the state.

If District Judge Jeffrey Sherlock grants the American Civil Liberties Union's wishes, there will be an injunction to require the state to create a framework that will provide these equal protections under the law. If the case proceeds to trial, June 27th is the date that has been set for its commencement. And that is more than enough time to sign our petition and send a message that gay and lesbian citizens deserve equal recognition.