HISTORY WILL BE MADE THIS WEEK IN THE U.S. WHEN THE FIRST STATE-SANCTIONED SAME-SEX MARRIAGES GET UNDERWAY.
All eyes will be on the US state of Massachusetts this Monday when it becomes the first place in the country to legally allow same-sex couples to marry.
Despite last-minute attempts by conservative groups to overturn the decision, the state?s highest court isn?t letting anything get in the way of their ruling for same-sex marriage licences to be issued from 17 May.
Excitement is mounting amongst the state?s gay and lesbian community, with the city of Cambridge planning to open City Hall at 12am on Monday to start giving couples licences. The Cambridge mayor will begin celebrations at 11pm the night before with a wedding cake and music, Washington Blade reported.
But as a great a milestone as it is, same-sex couples in the rest of America are disappointed that only residents of Massachusetts can take advantage of the new laws.
According to an obscure state law written in 1913, it is illegal to marry an out-of-state couple whose marriage would not be recognised in their home state ? which in this case is every other state in America. Some councils in Massachusetts say they will marry out-of-state couples anyway, with the board of selectmen in Provincetown voting unanimously in favour of issuing licences to out-of-state couples.
Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, a vocal opponent of same-sex marriage, has threatened to take legal action against city and town clerks who do not obtain proof of residency from same-sex couples.
About Time !!!! we were all treated equally !!
