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?
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O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay! 'Mr. B.' and I will marry!
Mr. G, North Shore
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA AH AH HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA AH AH HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA Maybe Mitt Romney's true self will finally come out of the closet.
Todd, Wilminton
This is a wonderful day for all those liberals who care nothing about America. I hope Massachusetts becomes the laughing stock is deserves. Maybe next brothers and sisters can marry, or maybe priests can marry alter boys.
geoff, waltham
As a gay man who grew up in Central Massachusetts and who recently moved out of Boston, today I was given yet another reason why I will return to my home state when I settle down with a family. It's not a total victory, but I will be sure to let everyone I know in MA to write letters in support of the State Supreme Court's decision. Thank you.
Chris, NY, NY
I think this is a step forward in the right direction. I'm glad the SJC stepped forward and acknowledged that marriage is not necessarily a religious matter for many couples, and that the state is obligated to extend basic civil liberities to all members of the commonwealth, regardless of the Catholic Church's stance on marriage.
Kelley
If the dissenting justices-- and those everywhere opposed to the ruling-- base their decision on that idea that the reason for marriage is the bearing and rearing of children, than why are they not also opposed to the marriage of elderly couples, who are well past the child bearing age? Or of marriages between a man and a woman who have no plans to ever have children? Marriage should be based on the love and commitment of two people-- whether children come of out that union or not. I am all for the ruling and hope that the Legislature and our governor follow it.
Sarah, Boston
It's about time!
JoAnne, Chelmsford
A good and bad ruling. Will Massachusetts be a better place for it? Probably. Gays... I'm happy for my gay friends. I don't see any reason for them not to enjoy rights afforded through joint custody, finanances, etc. The Mass SJC... Another horrendous example of the courts overstepping their role. The Mass Constitution was written before anyone in their right mind would ever consider a thing as same-sex marrige--that same-sex marrige is covered by the Constitution is preposterous! What happened to the concept of "judicial restraint?" This is a clear loss to our democracy when an appointed few can rewrite the laws of our elected officials. The future... If we're lucky the Mass Legislature will craft a reasonable law that provides for civil unions, and the Mass SJC will accept it, and we'll all forget about our trip to the sausage factory we call our Massachusetts legal/legislative system.
Rollingmyeyes, Boston
C'mon, it's legal, but we can't give everyone marriage licences? How is that not having second-class citizens out of gays? I think the SJC didn't have the stomach for providing real justice. The civil rights struggle will continue!
Kim, Jamaica Plain
I think this is great - I've seen more commitment between gay couples than some of the straight couples I've seen, and this decision can only be for a greater good. I am straight and married (and Republican), and have several gay and lesbian friends. However, I foresee a backlash against gay couples in public in Massachusetts. Some of the comments I have heard today at work are unprintable in a family newspaper. I only hope that common sense prevails and that crimes against gay and lesbian citizens do not increase. Despite these misgivings I can only see that this is good for all citizens of the Commonwealth.
Richard, Belmont
