ACLU sues Montana over same-sex couples rights

A civil rights advocacy group filed a lawsuit Thursday on behalf of seven gay couples demanding the state provide them the same rights married couples have in making decisions affecting their family's health care, finances, inheritance and other matters.

The American Civil Liberties Union claims in the lawsuit that the state is violating the Montana Constitution by denying those rights to gay couples in committed relationships.

The 14 plaintiffs aren't challenging an amendment to the state constitution that bans same-sex marriage, the lawsuit says. But they want the state to acknowledge tha...