On April 11, 2001, seven same-sex couples filed a suit against the Department of Public Health in the state of Massachusetts. These seven couples wanted the right of civil marriage extended to same-sex couples. The individuals’ reasons varied, but they wanted the right to publicly show their commitment and they wanted the protection for themselves and their children that civil marriage offered. These protections included many financial securities offered through marriage, that many people take for granted. The people involved in the suit were everyday people that had been in long-term committed relationships, varying from seven years to thirty-two years. Some of the couples even adopted children together and were a family, unfortunately the law did not recognize them as a family.

Massachusetts had long been seen as a leader for many civil rights issues; including the abolition of slavery and equality for African Americans, the right for women to vote, and fighting for LGBT equality. The state Constitution contained equality guarantees and positively served minority groups, unlike many of the other state Constitutions. On November 18, 2003, the Massachusetts Judicial Court ruled in the plaintiffs favor, allowing for same-sex civil marriages. Marriage holds importance to the people, to the community, and to the world. “That same-sex couples are willing to embrace marriage’s solemn obligations of exclusivity, mutual support, and commitment to one another is a testament to the enduring place of marriage in our laws and in the human spirit.”

Civil marriage is a state-sanctioned institution and does not have any religious implications. Therefore, churches still had the right to refuse to marry same-sex couples. The ruling allowed for a legal marriage through the state, but various religions still dictate their traditions of what marriage stands for. Fortunately, in May of 2004, churches throughout Boston allowed same-sex couples to marry within their doors. Arlington Street Church was the first church to allow a church and state-sanctioned wedding between a same-sex couple. After their first wedding, the church had fifty-five same-sex weddings in one day.

By: Jessica McKenzie

Credits and Sources:

“About Us.” Arlington Street Church. Accessed October 3, 2016. http://www.ascboston.org/about/history.html

GLAD Legal Advocates & Defenders for the LGBTQ Community. “Goodridge V. Department of Public Health Background Information.” GLAD Last modified 2016. Accessed October 3, 2016. http://www.glad.org/work/cases/goodridge-faq/

Goodridge v. Department of Public Health.Nov. 18, 2003. North Eastern Reporter, 2d Series No. 798. Accessed on October 3, 2016. http://www2.law.columbia.edu/faculty_franke/Gay_Marriage/Goodridge%20Decision%20edited%20Fundamental%20Right.pdf