Massachusetts court to rule on gay marriage case
 

http://www.juicylinks.com/hotlink/images/ff.jpg

http://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/11/18/ga...eut/index.html

BOSTON, Massachusetts (Reuters) -- The highest court in Massachusetts said it would issue Tuesday its long-awaited ruling on whether gays and lesbians can marry, a move that could make the state the first to legalize same-sex marriages.

The Supreme Judicial Court said on its Web site that it would issue a ruling at 10 a.m. EST in the case of Goodridge v. Department of Public Health. The lawsuit was

brought by several gay and lesbian couples seeking the right to marry in Massachusetts.

Gay marriages are forbidden in the United States, although one state, Vermont, allows same-sex civil unions. Earlier this year the U.S. Supreme Court overturned state sodomy laws, a move some conservatives said could open the door to gay marriage. That decision and Canadian steps taken to legalize gay marriages earlier this year have intensified the debate.

Legal experts have said it is possible the Massachusetts court will reject the claim outright, openly declaring that same-sex marriages are legal and valid, or pass the issue to the state legislature to sort out.

Massachusetts court strikes down ban on same-sex marriage
Tuesday, November 18, 2003 Posted: 10:16 AM EST (1516 GMT)

Justices of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court issued their ruling in the case of Goodridge v. Department of Public Health on Tuesday.

BOSTON, Massachusetts (Reuters) -- The highest court in Massachusetts ruled Tuesday it is unconstitutional for the state to deny marriage to gay and lesbian couples, a move that could make the state the first to legalize same-sex marriages.

http://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/11/18/ga...eut/index.html

I thought it was already legal for gays to marry in Vermont

In Vermont, it is considered a civil union and the couple has different rights than in a marriage.

:thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup

ALthough now there is a movement to change the Massachusets constitution to ban gay marriage, which would null and void this ruling after 2006.....

WHy can't gay folk be allowed to have the same rights of straight folk when it comes to getting all the benefits of marriage?

:thumbsup :thumbsup

"Whether and whom to marry, how to express sexual intimacy, and whether and how to establish a family ? these are among the most basic of every individual's liberty and due process rights," the majority opinion said. "And central to personal freedom and security is the assurance that the laws will apply equally to persons in similar situations."

:thumbsup :thumbsup

massachusets is also the state the elects ted kennedy with like an 80% margin. nuff said.

:1orglaugh

Guess what dickhead. You are losing the war. Eventually bigots like you will slowly begin to disappear and one day people will giggle at just the thought of someone as narrow minded as you.

It's no wonder you are bitter.

...AND the liabilities! :winkwink:

every cloud and all that Aly ;)

the question really, is should church and state be seperate? because here in the US, almost all of our laws are based on religion. so if we really want to seperate the 2 then marriage should not give people taxbreaks. just think of it, if gay marriage is legalized then why should i get married to my gf. i want to have a tax break just for dating her!

I don't see any logic here. :2 cents: