Our wedding album: the images of May 17, from towns across Massachusetts, express emotions no words could capture, as overjoyed gay and lesbian couples obtain fully legal marriage licenses for the first time in U.S. history.Get me to the church on timeHow same-sex marriage Noun 1. same-sex marriage - two people of the same sex who live together as a family; "the legal status of same-sex marriages has been hotly debated" couple, twosome, duet, duo - a pair who associate with one another; "the engaged couple"; "an inseparable came to the state of Massachusetts 4.11.2001 In Boston seven same sex couples sue to challenge Massachusetts's ban on gay marriage after being denied marriage licenses. 5.8.2002 A superior court judge rules that the legality le·gal·i·ty n. pl. le·gal·i·ties 1. The state or quality of being legal; lawfulness. 2. Adherence to or observance of the law. 3. A requirement enjoined by law. Often used in the plural. of same-sex marriage should be decided by the legislature and rules against granting marriage licenses to the seven couples. 3.4.2003 The Massachusetts supreme judicial court The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) is the highest court in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The SJC has the distinction of being the oldest continuously functioning appellate court in the Western Hemisphere. hears arguments in the case brought by the seven gay couples who wish to obtain marriage licenses. 11.18.2003 The supreme judicial court rules it is unconstitutional unconstitutional adj. referring to a statute, governmental conduct, court decision or private contract (such as a covenant which purports to limit transfer of real property only to Caucasians) which violate one or more provisions of the U. S. Constitution. to bar gay couples from getting married, and it gives the legislature 180 days to come up with a solution to allow gay marriage. 12.11.2003 The Massachusetts senate The Massachusetts Senate is the upper house of the Massachusetts General Court, the bicameral state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. There are 40 senatorial districts in Massachusetts, all but one named for the counties in which they are located (the "Cape and votes to ask the supreme judicial court if Vermont-style civil unions would satisfy the court's order to permit same-sex marriage. 2.4.2004 The supreme judicial court clarifies its earlier ruling, saying that only full, equal marriage rights for gay couples--not civil union--will satisfy constitutional requirements. 2.6.2004 Presumed Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry  Editing of this page by unregistered or newly registered users is currently disabled due to vandalism. announces his opposition to gay marriage in Massachusetts. He endorses civil unions as an alternative. 2.11.2004 The Massachusetts legislature opens its constitutional convention with debate on a proposed constitutional ban on gay marriage. 2.12.2004 Lawmakers adjourn adjourn v. the final closing of a meeting, such as a convention, a meeting of the board of directors, or any official gathering. It should not be confused with a recess, meaning the meeting will break and then continue at a later time. (See: recess, session) the convention amid debate after failing to pass three separate proposals to constitutionally ban same-sex marriage. 3.11.2004 Lawmakers recess the constitutional convention but come closer to passing a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage and allow for civil unions. 3.29.2004 The state legislature A state legislature may refer to a legislative branch or body of a political subdivision in a federal system. The following legislatures exist in the following political subdivisions: tr.v. le·gal·ized, le·gal·iz·ing, le·gal·iz·es To make legal or lawful; authorize or sanction by law. le civil unions. If approved by the next legislative session, the amendment would go before voters on the November 2006 ballot. 4.15.2004 In an effort to get around his own attorney general, who favors allowing same-sex marriages, Gov. Mitt Romney  This article or section contains information about one or more candidates in an upcoming or ongoing election.Content may change as the election approaches. files a legislative measure to permit him to appeal to the state's high court directly. His effort fails. 4.29.2004 Romney invokes a 1913 state law in an attempt to bar out-of-state same-sex couples A same-sex couple is a pair of people of the same gender who pursue a romantic or sexual relationship together. The term "same-sex relationship" may be used when the sexual orientation of participants in a same-sex relationship is not known. from marrying in Massachusetts. 5.14.2004 The U.S. Supreme Court refuses to block the country's first state-sanctioned gay marriages from taking place starting May 17. 5.17.2004 Marriages of gay couples commence in Massachusetts. After midnight In Cambridge gay and lesbian couples line up at City Hall the night of May 16. THe town's marriage license office opened at 12:01 A.M. May 17. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dressed for success On May 13 future brides Carole Allen (left) and Nancy Scannell choose their outfits for the big day at a Boston wedding shop. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Family affair Annie, age 8, joins in the wedding of her mothers Julie (left) and Hillary Goodridge, plaintiffs in the lawsuit that led to marriage equality [see time line]. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Three generations of love On the beach after their Provincetown ceremony, Eileen Counihan (left) and Erin Golden hug their 10-year-old son, Jake. The couple have been together for 25 years. Golden's mother, Roberta Poulis, also shares in the moment. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Signs of commitment Above: Roberto Diaz Roberto Díaz or Roberto Diaz may refer to:
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Do solemnly swear... Jonathan Yarbrough (left) holds hands with partner Cody Rogahn as the Reverend Alison Hyder performs a wedding ceremony on the beach in Provincetown. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] End of a long wait Two unidentified Cambridge men mark their marriage by celebrating just how long their partnership has lasted. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] First in history Susan Shepherd (left) and partner Marsha Harris declare victory in Cambridge. Just after midnight, they became the first same-sex couple in the state to receive a marriage license. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] |
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