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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It's a great day in society. There's still so much to go through to keep moving forward, but this is a milestone in the process. A big THANK YOU to the couples who took this to court... you did something really important, and I soooo appreciate your courage and willingness to go through this whole thing. I am a woman and I love a woman. For me as an individual, that love has been the most powerful and transforming experience I've ever had. May having actual legal support in this society for that love also have the effect of creating a freer, more compassionate world.
Stacey, Somerville
The argument that marriage should be limited to those couples able to procreate doesn't hold water. There are plenty of heterosexual couples that are unable to have children. Should they then be denied the opportunity to marry? Way to go SJC. It's about INCLUSION rather than EXCLUSION. It's 2003, folks and this is long overdue!
Philip, Boston, MA
If marriage is only for people who can procreate then I guess anyone who is infertile should not be issued a marriage license right? Maybe all the people who think that marriage is only about having children can bring their own lawsuit against infertile couples and have their marriages revoked. And, of course – no marriage licenses for men who have had vasectomies or post- menopausal women. And, what makes a male-female set of parents better at being parents? Give me a break! Being physically able to parent a child does NOT mean you will do a good job of it. How obvious is that? From this message board it seems that a lot of straight parents out there raised bigots.
Mad, Chelsea
Congratulations! Finally some sanity. For those that want "God" in their marraige vows - enjoy it. This ruling doesn't effect you. Marraige as regulated in Massachusetts is a civil, not a religious function. The ruling brings honesty to our legal leaning towards "equality" which was, prior to this ruling, just a lot of talk. Today qualifies for its posting as a "day in history" where society evolved (surprisingly *here*) by a millimeter. Let those that wish marry do so. But do it quickly as my pessimistic side suggests we'll see two giant steps back into the stone age soon.
Mark, Boston
I am pleased to see that everyone who pays their taxes will now be afforded the proper benefits when it comes to issues involving one's partner. That is just correct. However, don't call this marriage; it's not. Two males/two women cannot procreate, it's that simple. If everyone in society was gay, civilization would end and humans would cease to exist. To me, this will never be more than a civil union.
Heather, Waltham
So it begins . . . . . . Judgement day is drawing near.
S, anoynomous
This ruling suggests that there is now no foundation for marriage. What is the criteria for a marriage? The family concept will be lost unless the legislature defines a marriage. I fear for the future of our society.
Bill, Plymouth
It's about time. Thank God we have these highly logical courageous people like judges to put aside societies' emotional baggage to see clearly what is right. Those so called followers of Christ who are against this ruling need to start thinking for themselves. Jesus was a broad minded radical thinker in his day and would probably support gay marriage in this day. It is sad to see so many of his followers today behaving like lazy narrow-minded lambs following the hypocritical institutional thinking of the Catholic Church instead of using the brain their maker gave them. Shame on them.
Julie, Cambridge
I'm totally offended by this decision. I just want to give everyone a quick lesson on how nature works. There is a male species and a female species of pretty much everything in nature in order to reproduce offspring. Tell me how two men or two women can reproduce offspring and I'll be all for gay rights. If what gay people are doing is right, lets picture for a moment everyone did the right thing and turned gay, oh thats right you cant picture that because it would be the end of civilization.
Mike, Peabody
Ha ha, now gay people can start piling up the divorces just like straights. This reminds me of one of those "be careful what you wish for" things, like feminists fighting to work 40-hour weeks at big corporations. But hey - fair is fair. If all us straights have to suffer through marriage, there's no reason gays should get off scott free. Enjoy the victory while you can, folks. Soon you'll have to start actually getting married...yikes...
Jason, Boston, MA
