Massachusetts Approves Gay Marriage... Sort of By Andrew L. Jaffee, November 18, 2003	Home   Search   Forum   Terms

The Massachusetts Supreme Court today voted 4-3 deciding that gays are allowed to marry under state law... sort of. The court stopped short of granting marriage licenses to the seven gay couples who challenged a Massachusetts law banning gay wedding. Instead, the court threw the ball back into the Massachusetts Legislature, giving them 180 days to come up with a resolution to the issue.

While this is a victory for gay advocates, the Massachusetts Legislature is considering a constitutional amendment that would define marriage solely as an amalgamation between a man and a woman. The amendment is backed by Tom Finneran, Massachusetts' Speaker of the House.

Vermont decided to allow civil unions (not marriage) between gays in 2000. In June, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down state laws that banned gay consensual sex.

According to Josh Friedes, advocacy director of Freedom to Marry Coalition of Massachusetts,

Marriage is a gateway to over 1,000 federal protections, Social Security survivors benefits, health care and pension benefits. And the word "marriage" is deeply meaningful. Without it, you are stamping gays and lesbians as "separate," and ... separate isn't equal.