Share your reaction to the gay marriage decision
Massachusetts's highest court ruled 4-3 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 seven couples who challenged the law. The court ordered the Legislature to come up with a solution within 180 days. What are your thoughts on the issue?
Page 11
Living in Washington DC and experiencing the lack of civil liberties down here and also watching, as a social worker, D.C.'s social service agencies go down the drain since we've had Bush in office, I was ecstatic and proud of Massachusetts (being a Mass. native as I am) for taking this step not only b/c it allows people to be WHO THEY ARE, but also b/c now Mass. has set a precedent and I always knew that Mass. was a leader on many fronts. Education, medicine, politics,social services and of course Red Sox Nation.
Veronica, Washington DC
It's actually a sad day in MA. How twisted we've become to legalize this behavior in the eyes of the children that we are raising. Marriage between an man and a woman is the foundation of our society..that is undeniable by all. We all lose with this decision.
Sara, Andover
While I think this is a very complicated issue, with many far reaching effects, marriage is basically a legal union that guarantees a person's partner certain rights. People forget that it is only in very recent history (mid 20th century really) marriage has been about love and choosing the person you want to spend the rest of your life with. Prior to that marriage was arranged based on your position, wealth and power (that is legal unions that give you money and property). One could argue that gays have it the right way. They fell in love, then realized that legally they needed to have a certain standing. Arguments that say it will destroy the fabric of marriage are ridiculous--50% of heterosexual marriages end in divorce, don't think we need any help there. Also, I find all this Catholic church stuff annoying. The Catholic church does not make law in Massachusetts. They make law for the Catholic church. People are gay. There have always been homosexuals, there will always be homosexuals. Live with it.
ASH, Sharon
In this day and age, it is unbelievable to me as a gay man that I even have to deffend my right to the institution of marraige. I just hope that the legistlature will also do the right thing and approve marriage language. It is time that I stop being treated as a second class citizen. I guess if I only get some of the rights of other residents of Massachusetts, I could always pay less taxes. No taxation without representation. This really is an incredible day. Let the fallout begin.
Shawn , Dorchester, MA
Marriage: The legal union of a man and woman as husband and wife.
Rob, Stoughton
Hey Tom Finneran, Let's see you work your way out of this one. What a great day for the citizens of Massachusetts!!
Tom , Franklin
It's about freaking time!!!! I was raised to believe that marriage is a union between two people who love each other. Some feel this will hurt our country. Those people are afraid. Afraid of things that are different. We should be happy that we live in a state that is staying on top of cultural change in the US. Our differences will make us stronger!!!!! Oh, and I should add that I'm straight.
Rich, Somerville
Maybe it is time for the Taliban. Can I marry my cat? Bestiality is just around the corner. Get a legal contract--it's probably worth more than a marriage license these days! From a former Episcopalean
BOB, MEDFIELD
If it doesn't result in my taxes going up, any increased traffic and my rubbish continues to be picked up - and of course, Bill Bellichek doesn't have[ an issue with it, then I doubt your readers, nor myself, has any problem with it.
Jack, Boston, MA
Since the religious right will pitch a fit over this, I just want to ask them-- shouldn't we enact a ban on stupid people marrying instead of gay people? I'm hard-pressed to see how a loving, stable, loyal man-man or woman-woman couple really undermines Western civilization. On the other hand, when I see contestants and viewers flock to "Who Wants to Marry a Millionnaire" type shows, that definitely gives me a sinking feeling for the state of marriage in our society-- and I don't see the Bible Belt railing against that.
Matt K., Somerville
