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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I've been reading the pages and pages of mostly estatic messages regarding today's ruling and I have to add my own. Today is an historic day for Massachusetts and a personal triumph for my partner of eleven years and I. When civil unions first passed in Vermont, we thought about going there and having a ceremony, but didn't. Then when civil marriage passed in Canada we considered obtaining a civil marriage liscense knowing full well it would not be recognized in the USA. In the end, we decided to simply wait to see what Massachusetts would do. I"m so glad that we waited! We had our church ceremony (St. John of God on Beacon Hill) in August of 1995 and now (if the Legislature stands tall and doesn't bend to the conservative media bias) we will hold a civil ceremony to legally mark what we've already confirmed before God and family.
Lesa, Jamaica Plain
It is about time we evolve into caring people who allow the same rights to all regardless of color, creed, religion or SEXUALITY- what dark ages do we live in?
ABC, Somerville
Perhaps you say that marriage should be between a man and a woman, that this is the foundation of our society... perhaps you say that it is evil, in the eyes of God that two members of the same sex join together as one... perhaps you feel that the purpose of marriage is to be fruitful and procreate. Well, you are entitled to your opinion, for that is wherein lies the foundation of our society. As American's, our society thrives on our laws that cater to all of man's basic human rights. It is not up to the governament to tell you what your opinion should or should not be, it is not up to the government to tell us who we can, or cannot marry. As much as some would like to bring God into the argument, in this country, you can't. There is a separation of Church and state so that no one belief can be forced upon another, and this is a major block in the foundation of our society. As for the goal of marriage is procreation, I have a hetero friend who will never be able bare children, should I ask her not to marry because she won't be able to "contribute" to the human race? Marriage is a sharing of love. Love is what makes a marriage.
Mike, Braintree
BIG MISTAKE, BIG TIME. Prediction: This will not pass through the Massachusetts legislature; this will coalese the supporters of a constitutional amendment to define marriage as it tryly is, between a man and a woman, enough to pass; and finally, this will bring down the democratic liberal establishment so entrenched here in Massachusetts. The battle is joined!
Bill
We are finally making steps in the right direction! To care about what goes on in someone elses house, or relationship is none of my business or the governments! I am not gay, but applaud the decision and hope that this leads to equality for same sex couples.
Joe, Norwood
Thank you to the Supreme Judicial Court for this monumental ruling! ....how we evolve as a society, as a country and as a universe hinges on bold landmark decisions like today. Thanks to those of you who have been advocating and fighting the fight on behalf of so many of us throughout this great country. Decisions like this benefit not only the gay community, but society as a whole in that they serve to bridge the gap between ignorance and understanding.
Michele, Medford
Terrific decision. Long overdue. Mass. leads the nation again.
Richard
What a sad day for the Commonwealth! Just another in a long line of politically correct decisions that continue to erode the concept of "family". How much, I wonder will this cost the state and private business to insure, provide medical benefits, etc to homosexual couples? Will they now have to follow the same rules as everyone else regarding divorce, child custody and other legal matters? How am I to explain to my children that the State says its OK for two men or women to get married when I find it morally objectionable ? Doesn't matter I guess . I'm one of the unenlightened majority who still believes that "marriage" should be between a man and a woman.
John, Westwood
Deviants... all of them! Plain and simple, if someone is gay, there is something really warped with them. How someone can choose to be like "that" is beyond anything myself or most regular people I know can comprehend. What an absolutely sickening, disgusting lifestyle choice. It's filthy, morally corrupt, and even funny in a strange way when I about it. I'm very happy that I'll never have to look over my shoulder as my day of reckoning approaches. I love my God and am very proud to serve Him as He commands in the Holy Bible and more than comfortable with it too, as most gays and atheists have trouble believing. I'll never gay bash, but I'll certainly laugh at that lifestyle choice. Being the caring person I am, I'm actually even sympathetic in a way. This SJC decision will certainly have it's backlash. People in Massachusetts wonder how conservatives such as George Bush (thank God for him) get elected... keep supporting measures such as today's ruling and we might be fortunate enough to have an even more conservative President next time. Someone in an earlier response said something that can actually be turned into quite a funny joke... "WHEN LESBIAN PARENTS FILE FOR DIVORCE, WHO GETS SCREWED OVER IN THE CUSTODY HEARING? THE ONE THAT LOOKS MORE LIKE A MAN!!!" Oh yeah, one other thing... I don't think God would approve of this ruling as some say on this message board say. He gave us freewill and those of you who disabey His word will pay for your indignancies. I think it's time to build an ark so I can save myself from the imminent flood that's sure to swallow Massachusetts. There's a bunch of rain in the forecast for the next several days too. HA HA!!! By the way, I disagree and am saddnened with today's ruling.
Clovis, Boston
Congratulations! Bravo to the SJC!
Tracey C, Lincoln
