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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This is so wrong. What a sad day for Massachusetts and those of us who follow God's plan and want to teach our children traditional family values. Compassion for other human beings is one thing, but calling this "union" a marriage is deplorable. The SJC should be embarrassed.
Traditional Mom, Woburn
Overjoyed with the decision! I have read on this message board that some think that marriage is for men and women for the purpose of bearing children. If that is the case, then couples who have been married over 9 months without a child should be made to divorce. Or perhaps they should have to sign an "intent to breed" along with getting a marriage license..... I believe that gay people want to get married mostly for legal reasons, not religious ones, but as long as the two an enmeshed, this is the correct path to take. If there were a separate but legally equal "marriage" that was outside of the church it would certainly attract many couples, straight and gay.
AD, Boston
Hearing about this ruling today, I'm embarassed about having attended a Boston area Law School. Did the SJC give any consideration to how the rest of the country would view Massachusetts after this? I know that my opinion of the "Gay State" has hit the skids. The SJC has gone too far this time - WAY too far.
Dan, Philadelphia PA
To opponents of this legislation, this was only a matter of time. Young people today who have grown up unafraid of gay and lesbian friends and know that they present no threat to our society and to "traditional" marriages. The battle continues, but the inevitable outcome is fixed, gays and lesbians will win equal rights because it is simply the right thing to do. As our enlightened young grow older, more and more laws will be changed to reflect their prevailing attitudes and eventually equal rights will win the day (in all areas, including the military)...as it has with many groups seeking similiar changes over time. Thanks SJC.
RS, Waltham
This is a big step for human equality. I understand now why the Vermont civil union for same-sex couple is not enough. Since it appears to grant the same benefits and rights. Congratulation to all the people who have struggled to gain the right to marry. This law suite also makes me look into the meaning of civil marriage between a man and women, and why so many of us feels threatened in certain level. It is so easy for us (who are allowed to have a civil marriage) to take things for granted and feel the need to preserve the meaning of marriage. I did a brief research on the history of marriage and civil marriage. I realized my own prejudice and how narrow my view is on marriage. I now have a better understanding what marriage is. This also help me understand how I can make my own marriage even better. Thanks to the courage of the Massachusetts supreme court for this ruling.
Amy, Brighton
As the widowed mother of seven, grandmother of 12, who was lucky enough to be granted a joyfully happy marriage of 47 years, I am cheering for any couples, of whatever sex, who have found that kind of happiness and want their unions recognized. I can't understand why on earth so many people are determined to deny gay couples legitimacy. They should be celebrating with them.
Polly, Providence, RI
Men marry men? Women marry women? Are you crazy? There is nothing "equal" about permitting men to marry men and women marry women. The situation was always equal -- a gay man could always marry a gay woman, or a straight woman. Gays could marry. Heterosexual men were just as prohibited from marry men as were gay men from marrying men. I don't see the inequality. Equal protection argument gone. Where does their crazy argument go? Let's see: Me, I'm an animal activist. I love my dogs and monkeys. I also need several wives. Why shouldn't three women be able to marry me? Right now, you're denying two of them equal rights with the third on. But what I really want is to to marry farm animals. Will you activists support my right to love animals? I want equal rights with others to marry whom and what I please. What if I find carnal pleasures with animals? Why should it be illegal and why should I not be permitted to legalize my union so as to provide right to my animal. Don't tell me that you're stuck in the dark ages where they though that animals were soulless automatons, chattels, to be bought and sold? Some higher animals have consciousness. Why shouldn't I be able to wed a bonobo? I'll bet you my bottom dollar that the liberal fanatics at the Globe won't put this on their we site! Why? Because they are afraid to find out that there are more people who think like me than think like them.
Ashton , Boston
Wow! I never thought there were so many rednecks in Massachusetts (just read their posts). I mean putting homosexuality in the same category as beastiality, incest, etc. How ignorant is that. Obviously, you people were brought up under a rock. I am glad to see that 9 of 10 responses on this message board are positive. A great day for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (which I am very proud to be from)!
CR, Dallas, TX
I am so grateful that the Justices in the Majority Opinion had the courage to make this decision. Justice Greaney said it best when he wrte in his concurrance: "The Plaintiffs are members of our community, our neighbors, our co-workers, our friends....the plaintiffs volunteer in our schools, worship beside us in our religious houses, and have children who play with our children, to mention just a few daily contacts....simple principles of decency dictate that we extend to the plaintiffs and to their new status, full acceptance tolerance and respect."
Lynn , Boston
It is once again a very sad day in Massachusetts. This state is such a mess. The whole issue is just FUNDAMENTALLY wrong,wrong,wrong. Like Bonnie in Billerica I don't understand why they are always pushing it in our face. If you want to be gay.....fine. Just maintain the lowest profile possible....PLEASE
Anonymous, Cambridge
