[William McKinley]

Marriage is a vital social institution. The exclusive commitment of two individuals to each other nurtures love and mutual support; it brings stability to our society. For those who choose to marry, and for their children, marriage provides an abundance of legal, financial, and social benefits. In return it imposes weighty legal, financial, and social obligations. The question before us is whether, consistent with the Massachusetts Constitution, the Commonwealth may deny the protections, benefits, and obligations conferred by civil marriage to two individuals of the same sex who wish to marry. We conclude that it may not. The Massachusetts Constitution affirms the dignity and equality of all individuals. It forbids the creation of second-class citizens. In reaching our conclusion we have given full deference to the arguments made by the Commonwealth. But it has failed to identify any constitutionally adequate reason for denying civil marriage to same-sex couples.

link.

[1Old Pro]

bWARNEY Frank is very happy.

[Always Right]

Mass. Supreme Court rules that illegal for state to deny marriage license to gay couples.

When do we get to abort the state of Mass....

[BSunday]

Dang, ya beat me to it. Oh well, it's time for a:

Judicial Outrage Ping

If you want on or off this list let me know.

[Protagoras]

They may have government approval of queer sex, but they ain't married.

[prairiebreeze]

Yup, they will flock to MA to marry.

FNC calling it landmark decision. Possibly will be appealed to US supreme court and speculation as to whether court would hear or consider the issue.

More work for divorce attorney's when the "marriages" fall apart. Maybe MA passed it for the tourism revenue.

We've become so open-minded our brains have fallen out.

Prairie

[Bronco_Buster_FweetHyagh]

Statistically, Homosexual couples have the highest rates of domestic violence in the household.

[netmilsmom]

Good! How about if all of the big 10% of gays in this country move there and get their "in your face" sexuality out of mine.

Including my sister....

[Semper Paratus]

Time to revive the old slogan "Make it in Massachusetts".

[AppyPappy]

Why just couples?

[Semper Paratus]

If they throw rice after a marriage ceremony symbolizing fertility, what would they throw after a gay marriage?

[mhking]

[thunk] (that was the sound of my mouth hitting the table)

Just damn.

If you want on the new list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...

[Rutles4Ever]

Yet another disgrace from the cradle of America... coming soon to a state near you.

I must assume this throws the doors open to nationwide lawsuits.

[armymarinemom]

Sigh. I hope we don't start getting snowed under with Honeymoons up here in Maine.

[Geronimo]

Massachusetts court rules ban on gay marriage is unconstitutional
By Associated Press, 11/18/2003

BOSTON -- Massachusetts' highest court ruled Tuesday that same-sex couples are legally entitled to wed under the state constitution, but stopped short of allowing marriage licenses to be issued to the couples who challenged the law.

The court ruled 4-3, ordering the Legislature to come up with a solution within 180 days.

The Supreme Judicial Court's ruling closely matches the 1999 Vermont Supreme Court decision, which led there to the Legislature's approval in 2000 of civil unions that give couples many of the same benefits of marriage.

The decision is the latest in a series of victories for gay rights advocates, but fell short of what the seven couples who sued the state had hoped to receive: the right to marry their longtime companion.

The Massachusetts question will now return to the Legislature, which already is considering a constitutional amendment that would legally define a marriage as a union between one man and one woman. The state's powerful Speaker of the House, Tom Finneran of Boston, has endorsed this proposal.

A similar initiative, launched by citizens, was defeated by the Legislature last year on a procedural vote.

Developing

[Catspaw]

Rosie's moving to P-town.

[MJY1288]

Massachusetts better prepare for the migration of thousands of Gay couples that are packing their sh*t (No Pun Intended) and heading for Kennedy Country

[AmericanMade1776]

Auggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh....the bad news...is I am in Massachusetts....the good news...is I am leaving this state the end of December...auuuuuuuuuuuggggggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhh....

[sirchtruth]

What states will NOT allow this perversion?

[AD from SpringBay]

How can this be!? I thought overturning sodomy laws earlier this year would never lead to sodomites getting married. Just remember boys and girls - there's no such thing as s slippery slope - it's all in your right-wing imagination. Here's a cookie now go play.