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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As a gay person, of course I want gay marriages to be legalized, and for the 7 couples who have challenged the laws that keep us from being able to be legally wed, I hope they are granted the marriage licenses that they've requested. I am still unclear on what is legal at this point and what is not, but I will look forward to the day when my girfriend and I have the freedom to create the family that we've been dreaming of.
Shannon, Wilmington, NC
It is about time. Hopefully this will be a stepping stone to legalizing gay marriage throughout the United States. Why do people oppose this? How does this impact their lives if gay marriage is legalized. It only impacts their sense of morality, and they should not impose their morals on others when it comes to expanding rights to all.
A, Jamaica Plain, MA
I am happy to see that the religious context and beliefs were taken out of this decision. The law, regardless of the history in it's creation, must be applied in it's simpliest terms to each individual governed by it. Marriage is an individual decision for each person to make regardless of the sexual orientation. It is not a state-wide or nation-wide dictum of who can and can not get married. This issue of biracial marriage has been rendered a mute point in most situations, what makes this any different. The american foundation was founded on a religious standard, yes we can agree on that, however, it was also founded on the principle that are men are craeted equal and endowed by their creator (god or mother and father) with certain unalianable rights, those being, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This just rectifies that gays and lesbians now have the right to pursue marriage as a means of happiness. This in any sense was the right decision.
Jack, Allston
Though I have nothing against gay marriages, I do believe that other things, like the "safe haven law", that Massachusetts is only one of 7 states that do not have it should take priority. It's great that same sex couples can now marry, but shouldn't saving newborn babies be more of an urgency???
cathy, norton
I have yet to see someone argue against same-sex marriage on grounds other than religion. You know why? It can't be done. And that--in a nutshell--is what the SJC said in today's decision. (Which not only was legally sound, but also obviously well thought-out seeing as how it took them so long to arrive at it.) There is no LEGAL reason why same-sex couples should be allowed access to the CIVIL institution of marriage. I know it's a difficult concept for some people to grasp, but the imposition of your religious beliefs on me IS different than the impositon of my liberal beliefs on you. Your beliefs deny me access to a CIVIL rite (and, no, that isn't misspelled). My beliefs do not deny you access to anything. My right--in the eyes of the law--to marry someone of the same gender does not adversely affect your access to any CIVIL rights or privileges. Your antiquated beliefs, on the other hand, prevent me from enjoying the benefits--and responsibilities--afforded to any idiot on a reality show.
Dan, Provincetown
I was saddened and disappointed by today's ruling by the Mass. Supreme Court. Homosexuality is neither normal nor healthy. It should not be condoned or encouraged by anyone, including government. I believe that homosexual individuals should be treated with dignity and respect. However, I don't believe that their lifestyle should be recognized as valid or deserving of the same rights/protections of marriage between one man and one woman. I am shocked at how far down the road of immorality our society has traveled that we would consider sex between two women or sex between two men as "normal". How have the lines between what is simply right and what is simply wrong become so confused and blurred? It is very disconcerting, to say the least; it makes me afraid for our future both as a state and a nation.
Heather, Wakefield
WHAT A SIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
darlene, boston
I would like to point out that this ruling is talking about the civil definition of marriage. In the US, we have this thing called "separation of church and state." Had this ruling been about the religious right to marry, we'd be talking about something entirely different. To those in the 'RIGHT' who say that we, the gay citizens of this country, are trying to degrade the definition of marriage, I say this: you've been doing a pretty good job of it on your own. You make a mockery every time you allow a man and a woman to marry in a Las Vegas chapel, or "play" for a marriage on a reality game show. I think it's time for the uber-religious in this country to wake up and realize that the world has changed, and if they wish to continue to play a valuable role in society, then they'd better re-evaluate the moral implications of refusing ANYONE the right to have love recognized in meaningful and helpful ways. To the Rush Limbaugh-set in this country: shame on you.
Derek, Brighton, MA
If 2 people love each other - then who cares. We have enough hate in this world w/out adding more. People are worried about the sanctity of marriage? Look at how high divorce is. Also, the church needs to stay out of it... they can't say a word after how they have handled their own house.. plus I thought there was supposed to be seperation of church and state.
Heidi, Somerville
Great news! I'm as straight as they come but know and have worked with many gay people. I'm all for gay marriage. Who is anyone to deny a person this?! To all you against this, Gay people are PEOPLE. They are the same as straights; good & bad, intelligent & stupid, rich & poor, funny & dull.... Those against gay marriage are simply too insecure and fear this will harm them in some way. We only need to glance back in history to recall other abominations that at this time are incomprehensible; slavery, women voting, civil rights. We can only hope that the final barracades against gay marriage are torn down soon and logged as another embarassing chapter in American history.
Mary, Quincy
