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07/31/2008
Effective Immediately, All Gays Can Marry in Massachusetts
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has signed the bill repealing a 1913 law barring out-of-state couples from marrying in Massachusetts if the marriages would not be recognized in their home state.
Effective immediately, same-sex couples from all 50 states can marry in Massachusetts!
Sphere: Related ContentPosted 1:13 PM EST by Andy in Gay Marriage, Massachusetts, News | Permalink
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Woo-hoo! Even though my husband and I tied the knot last August in Vancouver, I think we'll be stopping off in Mass. for a quick nuptial on our way to Maine.
Posted by: JB | Jul 31, 2008 2:00:51 PM
2 down, 48 to go.
Posted by: JeffRob | Jul 31, 2008 2:02:02 PM
Thank you, Massachusetts legislature! And thank you Governor Patrick!!!!
Posted by: peterparker | Jul 31, 2008 2:03:28 PM
Yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!
Posted by: Progression | Jul 31, 2008 2:20:40 PM
Not quite. Here in Wisconsin there's a state law preventing anyone from entering into a marriage outside the state which wouldn't be valid here, born of the same anti-miscegenation ideals as the Massachusetts law. Here, though, the anti-gay lobby talks actively about using that law to enforce our constitutional ban. Sigh.
Posted by: Thor | Jul 31, 2008 2:33:12 PM
If you don't live in MA, then what, exactly, is the point? Other then setting up a challenge to DOMA or another state's marriage laws? Your home state doesn't have to recognize the marriage in MA because of DOMA, so what exactly is the point in going to MA to get married if you don't live there? Just curious why this matters so much?
Posted by: Luke | Jul 31, 2008 3:59:58 PM
"Just curious why this matters so much?"
Every step along the road towards full equality matters. Repealing this discriminatory, antiquated law may not have immediate practical consequences for most gay people, but every time something positive like this happens, the bigots lose another round in the continuing battle. Bravo, Governor Patrick and MA.
Posted by: Ernie | Jul 31, 2008 4:14:46 PM
I suppose, I just think in light of the fact that MA allows its own citizens to get married, it really isn't that big of a deal precisely because it serves no practical purpose. It certainly pales in comparison to CA moving towards marriage equality.
I'm not judging, I just didn't really understand the importance here beyond it simply showing MA continues to be far more progressive than most of the country.
Posted by: Lucas | Jul 31, 2008 4:53:15 PM
It's a big deal for someone who lives in, say RI or CT and would like to get married in MA; or someone who for whatever reason would prefer to go to MA rather than CA.
At the end of the day it may not give people the right to be married in their home jurisdiction, but many couples go to Canada or, now, California to get married and they now have another option.
Posted by: BOB | Jul 31, 2008 6:26:37 PM
People from RI were one of the few states that already could marry in MA, though I'm sure this will help clear up the confusion on that matter for RI citizens.
Posted by: Ryan | Jul 31, 2008 7:26:59 PM
Lucas/Luke: I don't think anyone is claiming it's more significant than the CA decision (tho MA hardly pales in comparison to CA), but as I said, and as Bob noted, it is not unimportant. (At the very least it's worthy of being reported, as Andy has.) VT helped pave the way for MA; they helped pave the way for other New England states that have CUs; they helped pave the way for CA--while courts are a crucial piece of the fight towards equality, showing average citizens that the sky doesn't fall when gay people get married is also crucial. Why not celebrate all the victories, small and large, along the way?
Posted by: Ernie | Jul 31, 2008 7:44:02 PM
Actually, in some ways it's MORE significant than California.
First off, it puts the two states exactly on par.
But this change came through the elected legislature and the elected governor, which means nobody can claim the "activist courts forced it down their throats." It shows the times are changing.
Furthermore, if you are from NY, your MA marriage will be valid in NY in spite of DOMA -- and NY is right next to MA.
I'm just waiting for VT, which used to be out front, to catch up.
Posted by: Kevinvt | Jul 31, 2008 7:46:20 PM
If you live in NY you can get married in MA and your marriage is recognized back in NY.
It's a BIG DEAL.
It's also a big deal that a Legislature did this. Not a court. It removes that nasty right-wing argument about judges and social change.
That's a HUGE DEAL.
And our friends in Wisconsin should know that their horrible law with fall with a resounding thud the moment someone tries to enforce it. That will be a great case to watch. It can't happen too soon. The Wisconsin court can just re-issue Loving vs Virginia and be done with it. Oral argument should be a hoot.
Posted by: Billy | Jul 31, 2008 8:21:24 PM
Truly wonderful and important news. What I'm also hoping is that this move by MA will make it that much harder for Prop 8 to pass in California in November. The other side would have loved to stop California's progress in part because it would have largely put an end to marriages of out-of-staters--it would have put the cork back in the bottle, as it were. The action by Massachusetts removes that as an argument in the (already weak) arsenal of the pro-8 forces. Sure, many California voters won't know about MA's action and won't care, but the fact that marriage will continue to be freely available to same-sex couples in this country REGARDLESS of the California vote may put a dent in the yes-on-8 forces to raise money here.
Posted by: Gianpiero | Aug 1, 2008 10:55:32 AM