07/29/2008
Massachusetts House to Begin Debate on Repeal of 1913 Bill
The Massachusetts House is set to begin debate on the repeal of the 1913 law that forbids out-of-state couples from marrying there. The senate has already passed it, and Governor Deval Patrick has indicated he'll sign the bill.
The Boston Herald reports: "A person close to House leadership said debate would begin (today) on the repeal a 1913 law that prevents out-of-state gays from marrying in Massachusetts. The law says couples can’t marry if their unions would be illegal in their home states. The person demanded anonymity because the legislative calendar usually remains in flux until a session officially begins."
Sphere: Related ContentPosted 7:28 AM EST by Andy in Gay Marriage, Massachusetts, News | Permalink
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Folks, Granted this antiquated 1913 Law is being used to enjoin out of state couples from Marrying in MA and returning to their home states where Same Sex marriage maybe illegal.. HOWEVER, the focus ought to be on the ORIGINS of this law. When this law was placed on the books in 1913 it was at the behest of a majority of the remaining 40 Odd states which all had passed Anti-Misogyny Law - specifically aimed at Interracial marriages. Now MA was the only and the first state to be "OPEN" that is allowing Blacks and whites to marry as Blacks in this state where "Free Men" - since MA would not consent to pass specific legislation as the other states did - MA was convinced to establish the so called law of 1913 - which states No One can Come to MA and MArry and then return to their respective home state and have that marriage recognized if in fact it was not (anti Black - WHite marriage)...
About 10 years ago the last Anti-Misogyny Law was removed from the last state carrying it.. the first state to remove it was CA in 1948 and it took another 50 years for ALL the states to remove that ultimate discriminatory Law and yet in MA our Law still remained WHY? well because it HAD NEVER EVER BEEN USED PERIOD!!! In reality had some legislative aide over the previous 60 years come across it he may have put it forth to be removed as an arcane law no longer needed since Blacks-Whites could now marry in ALL 50 states......But because it had never seen the light of day it was never removed.. UNTIL some wingnut became aware of it....most likely while researching anti-misogyny laws wherein i am certain they learned that MA never had one BUT did have this exclusonary Law.. My point is this we should approach its repeal based on its ORIGINAL INTENT that being Racially Motivated toward BLACKS attempting to remove based on the issue of Gay Marriage seems futile ---- just my opinion!! AB
Posted by: Alex Boston | Jul 29, 2008 3:22:28 PM