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?
Page 5
It's about time...everyone on earth should have the same rights. It's sad that it has to be a court decision, but hopefully in the future all people will be able to spend their lives and give their benefits to someone they care about, regardless of orientation.
Kris, Brighton
It's too bad the SJC didn't grant the plaintiffs the right to marry. Do we really want to leave any important decision up to a legislature virtually controlled by one person? At least there are dissenting voices on the court, and most likely reasoned argument. The legislature will be a forced vote on a subject best not left to it.
KC, Malden
It's about time we started treating everyone in the Commonwealth equally... It will be interesting to see if the Legistrature follows through with the ruling or if they defy it
Alison, Plymouth
In this day and age, when many people find marriage itself an outdated institution and when so many marriages end in divorce, it's really refreshing to see people fighting so hard for the right to be married. For most straight people, it's something we really take for granted, to the point that, judging from the divorce rate, we take entirely too lightly. If two people want a life together, with all its risks and benefits, I wish them good luck.
Sandy, Plymouth
It's only fair that same sex couple have the same rights as straight couples. Imagine not being able to visit your loved one in the hospital. The argument that this is a threat to real marriage just doesn't hold any water. If your two male neighbors get married, how does that make your marriage any less valid? And let's face it, the straight community doesn't seem to treat marriage like it's sacred - look at the divorce rate, look at some of the current tv shows dealing with marriage, like Fox's Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire, or the show where the audience picked the husband. Sacred? Hardly. It's about time the religious right stopped discriminating against gays, and find something else to crusade against - honestly, why do they even care if someone is attracted to the same sex? How does that effect their lives? While I'm at it, what's going on with the Catholic Church coming out against gay marriage? This is the church that let their priests repeatedly rape childred for years, and knowlingly looked the other way. Now they're saying that two same sex people shoudn't be married. If anything, that stand will only turn public opinion in the other direction, because the church's moral authority has completely eroded.
Bill, Boston
As our Governor states, marriage shall be between a Man and a Woman. This ruling today does nothing but possibly lead down the road to giving gays certain rights. THIS ruling will never allow for gays to obtain the most significant item pertaining to marriage and that is a Marriage License. Give gays their rights, that is fine. Can we also allow them to file their taxes as a joint couple, so they can have the marriage penalty tax.
Darren , Peabody
WAHOO!! It is about time.
Renee, Boston
Finally... I believe that love is love - regardless of gender or race or religious beliefs... Oh... and as for the conservative anti-gay view... I was under the impression that conservatism had to do with getting the government out of our lives - but it seems they want to set up shop in the bedroom. Sigh.
Zelda, Boston
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.
john, manville
I think this is a wonderful step in the right direction. As part of a long-tem, comitted, lesbian relationship, I strongly feel there is no reason why I shouldn't have the legal rights of spouse - health insurance, health care decision-making power, etc. Most of the arguments against legal rights for same-sex partners are based in religious arguments. Separation of church and state are inherent in both the U.S and the State constitutions. It doesn't matter whether someone who doesn't know me agrees with homosexuality. What matters is that they respect my rights to a mutual and loving relationship. Their personal beliefs should not interfere with the spirit of the constitution.
Elizabeth , Swampscott, MA
