Mass. Court: Gay Civil Unions Not Enough Wednesday, February 04, 2004 BOSTON — Massachusetts lawmakers must give gay and lesbian couples full and equal marriage rights, the state's highest court ruled Wednesday. With its decision to back marriage and not the concept of civil unions, the court set the stage for the nation's first same-sex marriages (search) to take place beginning in mid-May. Plus, the court added fresh fuel to a debate that has split politicians, churches and families around the country. The court's action clarified what it meant in November when it ruled that the state's marriage laws were...
