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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To all the people out there who seem to have a problem with this ruling---wake up and smell the coffee. If you: a. are religious-I don't believe God discriminates-does he-so you shouldn't either. b. believe marriage is between a man and a woman only-that is not the true definition. And what does it bother you anyway!!! c. Worry about this being an issue for kids? Wake up and smell the coffee-this is not a choice, it's a way of life and your kids could be gay!!!
Susanne, Boston
We're definitely going to hell in a hand basket. I don't really care if two people of the same sex want to live together, I just don't think gay people should insist that the government (and the rest of the country) condon it.
Debbie, Norwood
People writing to oppose the SJC ruling offer such a wide variety of reasons for their opposition. God, God, God, and God. Religion is based on faith; science is based on observed facts. Do we want to live in a society where the law is based on the interpretation of ancient religious documents? For those who say "yes" we just spent a year trying to destroy several fundamentalist (conveniently non-Christian) regimes in the Middle East. Don't supporters of inequality and discrimination toward gays and lesbians have an argument other than God?
Glenn, Wlimington
Unfortunately, I don't have the time, patience or stomach to read through all of the thoughts on this late breaking news. What I do have time for is to list reasons I feel that people who are against this show of equality are a bunch of self righteous jerks. If you are one of the people who feel that "marraige" is strictly for hetero sexuals, who do you think you are? Did anyone even speak to God about this to get his/her feelings on hetero love, gay love or lesbian love? My thought is NO. It is only because back in the day when the bible and the constituion were written, no one spoke of being gay and that is why it is not a law, rule or way of life. Do you think if one of our famous forefathers or foremothers had written down that is was ok to be gay, we would have gone against it? I think not. Do you really care who I am going to bed with at night? Do you know who I am going to bed with at night? And as far as gays not going forth and producing new life, please, get a grip. Have you ever heard of artificial insemination? Have you ever heard of surrogacy? It happens everyday, in every state. If the insurance companies are covering the medical expenses of two lesbians trying to concieve a baby, then what is the big deal about letting the law cover their rights as spouses and children? Oops, I'm sorry, maybe some of you don't realize that insurance companies and doctors help gay people. Maybe you will try to ban that next. Where in the constitution does it say that people don't have the right to the same thing that his/her neighbor does just because they may be gay? Maybe gay people should be banned from working, paying taxes and helping those who may need help. Yes, I think that should become a law, if you are gay, you need to basically just stop living life because you are not entitiled to life. Let's get real people. Just let people be themselves and stop forcing people to hide from who they are and let them be entitled to live the life that God chose to give them. Quit being the judge and jury and for everyone's sake, quit thinking that you're God and knowing what is best for everyone. Just keep your mouths shut and worry about your own messed up lives that could probably use some therapy in some aspect or another.
Ole, NH
It's about time! Congrats to all:)
Stacy, Westwood, MA
I'm a married heterosexual and I think this is a great decision. Gays are taxpayers and citizens with every right to wed or form partnerships with whomever they please. I believe in freedom, such that every one of us has the right to make our own decisions in life. The only ones who might possible object here are the obsessed religious fanatics who waste all their time thinking about what other people are doing in their private lives. Wake up call, folks: nobody cares what you think, about this or anything else. Live your own life, mind your own business, and leave other people alone. If you must try to inject your religious views into society, kindly do it in a constructive fashion - i.e. by feeding the poor, clothing the homeless or extending a compassionate hand to others - rather than trying to ram your beliefs down everyone else's throat.
Mike, Boston
Bravo for our SJC! It is, indeed, simply the right thing to do. Preventing people who live and love like any other couple, the rights that other married people have, is like denying women or blacks the vote... i.e. it can't be justified on any ethical grounds ... all the more so since it doesn't take political power from anyone and doesn't infringe on anyone else's life (at least not in any way that matters). In 20 years, very few people in America will understand why this wasn't always the case.
Julian, Cambridge
John from "Mantown" said: I was thinking of making "Hetero Pride" t-shirts. Oh wait that would make me "Intolerent" wouldn't it? It's official the inmates are now running the asylum. There is a difference between pride and prejudice. It's fine to be proud of your sexuality. It's NOT fine to deny others rights based on theirs. That's not pride; that's prejudice. It wasn't ok for races, it wasn't ok for sexes, and it isn't ok for sexuality. This is not about "destroying marriage." Heterosexuals have already done that. This is about guaranteeing peopld their rights. Homosexuals have no autonomy under the law. In the hospital, their biological families have precedence. In probate it's the same. Domestic partners are "friends," not family. The comments about bestiality are immature and ignorant. The same comments were made when interracial marriage became legal. Is that really the kind of example you want to follow? As for the religious folks in the audience: your religion is not, will not, and cannot be forced to recognize marriages that are not in keeping with your religion's teachings. There are casinos, but I don't see churches being forced to bus their members to them. There are whore houses in Nevada, but I don't see religious pilgrimages to those places. Seriously, this isn't a threat to your religion. What the secular government does has little to nothing to do with what your religion does. That's why church and state are separated. Just like you don't want the state controlling your church, you shouldn't want your church controlling your state.
Randy, North Billerica
elation!!!! but a note of caution....having lived through this in hawaii it is a long walk from the court to the courthouse. i am so hoping this ruling will stick, but start now reaching out to friends in the straight community to keep up support for marriage licenses to be issued. we found so much support here from unexpected places. Bigotry and prejudice live, but so do fair minded people and justice. Congratulations courageous sisters and brothers of Massachusetts. brothers
berna, waianae, hawaii
I read about this decision this morning and thought to myself, finally a good and decent ruling. I understand also that Vermont has a similar law. I live in Utah and doubt I'll ever see the day when this happens in this state. Good luck to you all in your partnerships.
jackie, salt lake city
