Mass. Supreme Court Rules - Gay Couples have the Right to Marry

FoxNews | 11-18-03 | FoxNews

[Bronco_Buster_FweetHyagh]

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

[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.

[Petronski]

But it has failed to identify any constitutionally adequate reason for denying civil marriage to same-sex couples.

This sentence of the ruling was decided and written long before the case was ever heard.

[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.

[armadale]

Hey, I don't mind -- it'll keep them away from my kids!!!

[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?

[netmilsmom]

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

but they like it.

[prairiebreeze]

Groan! LOL!

Prairie

[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...

[TalBlack]

Isn't it good to be a judge in America? You can decide for a Nation ALL right and wromg. All morality. You are, pretty much, answerable to no one. You can chuck out social belief going back MILLENIA! You can redefine a sacred institution out of existence. Yeah, its good to be a judge; up until, I suppose, the noose is going around your neck, and you are reconsidering your part in the utter destruction of The Rule of Law.

[CygnusXI]

Well, I demand to be addressed as "Doctor" now.

Seeing as definitions don't matter. I don't have a degree, but so what?

[Timeout]

Let's hope that as early as this afternoon there's some good-ole-boy in love with his sister and they move to Mass. and apply for a marriage license. (Who are WE to judge?)

[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.

[rintense]

I'm just wondering where this ends. I mean, what if two women and one man wanted to 'get married'. Two men and a woman... four women and two guys... it just seems like a slippery slope disguised under the cry of 'it's our right!'. *SIGH*

[gorgiboy]

Yes, but no God allowed anywhere....... That is why all of these situations are happening! We've taken God out of everything! (Gorgiboy's Wife)

[Law]

It was just a matter of time after Lawrence v. Texas.

But I think this court's ruling will backfire on the left, as the proposed heterosexual marriage only amendment to the Constitution becomes the winning conservative issue of the 2004 campaign.

[luv2ndamend]

[kjam22]

The problem is that our constitution clearly makes provisions for controlling the judiciary. But our ELECTED leaders won't sholder this responsibility.

[Bronco_Buster_FweetHyagh]

LOL they probably throw AZT tablets.

But seriously, this is not a "landmark" decision as so many news reporters are saying. The "full faith and credit" that States must give to each other's laws is not tested by this any more than the states who legalized gay marriage through appropriate methods - legislative action. Don't Hawaii and Vermont have gay marriage?

[netmilsmom]

LOL!
How about three women or four men? Two men and a woman?
How about two women and a dog? How about three men and a sheep? It could be endless!

On a series note...I would like to see the stats on drug use in gays. I had Lesbian friends who smoked pot as much as they breathed. My sister has become a big pothead since coming out as well.

[hardhead]

Rubbers; condoms; prophylactics?

[Petronski]

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

Probably some of that Monsanto GE corn that yields infertile seed crops.

[Always Right]

But I think this court's ruling will backfire on the left, as the proposed heterosexual marriage only amendment to the Constitution becomes the winning conservative issue of the 2004 campaign.

Yep, and I think there will be a US Constitutional Amendment passed on this very subject. It is time to get the ball rolling.

[stevio]

Why just couples?

Exactly. Someone should immediately push the "courts" for two or three people, and why not animals? Surely there's nothing in the constitution that you can't marry your pet.

[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

[vollmond]

Be careful what you ask for, because you just might get it. Next up - suits for palimony, alienation of affection, "marriage penalty" taxes, etc. Is Mass. a community property state?

[rintense]

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

It will, but it will ultimately come down to either Congress or the SCOTUS. The laws can't be different from state-to-state (at least that's what the gay lobby will say). This is going to be another Roe v. Wade decision. In this case, however, I think the American people should be asked to decide- not the SCOTUS. It needs to be the will of the people if gay marriage should be legal or not- not the decision of the courts.

[PISANO]

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

Not in the eyes of GOD. However it is just a matter of time now before EVERY STATE in the UNION will HAVE to recognize GAY marriage. The only thing that can stop it is a Constitutional Amendment.

[Catspaw]

Rosie's moving to P-town.

[AppyPappy]

Very tolerant. You get a gold star.

[Timeout]

What an interesting dilemma for the Dem Dwarfs on the campaign trail.

[kjam22]

Surely there's nothing in the constitution that you can't marry your pet.

And then get your vet bills paid with Hillary's national medical insurance?

[Petronski]

A man and his horse . . . four cats, a dog and a pharmacist . . . . the possibilities are endless.

[HamiltonJay]

It appears the "BIG DIG" in massachuchusetts, has nothing to do with that highway project.

Two people desire to make commitments to one another, that's their business.... asking society to convey special rights to them, when there is no interest in the state at all to that relationship is unfathonable.

THe only reason the state has any interest in heterosexual marriage is because offspring can be produced through normal and natural activity.. this is not the case with homosexual relationships so there is absolutely no reason for the state to sanction or care about these individual relationships.

[not-alone]

Provincetown new # 1 honeymoon choice

[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

[prairiebreeze]

Two men and a goat...three women and a dog.

sorry

Prairie

[netmilsmom]

>>Very tolerant. You get a gold star. <<

Sorry, should have added the /sarcasm off/ tag!

[AmericanMade1776]

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