Marriage equality has been good for our Commonwealth: same-sex couples are for the first time treated equally under the law, families and children enjoy greater protections, communities are strengthened, and Massachusetts is a more welcoming place for gay and lesbian couples, their children, and their loved ones. As the first state in the nation to give loving same-sex couples all of the rights and protections that come with legal marriage, we must always remain vigilant to preserve that right for generations to come.
Priorities:
Ensure that all of our members know where candidates for legislative office stand on issues of LGBT equality.
Ensure that married same-sex couples and their families receive equal treatment in schools and other institutions and are depicted honestly and accurately by government, the media, and everywhere else.
Marriage in Massachusetts
Background:
On May 17, 2004, Massachusetts became the first state in the nation to give same-sex couples the right to marry as a result of Goodridge v. Department of Public Health. Since that day, over 16,000 couples have entered into legal marriage, gaining all the state rights and protections -- from hospital visitation rights to shared health care benefits -- that come with it. Immediately following the Goodridge decision, opponents of equality tried multiple times to put referenda on the ballot that would write discrimination into the Massachusetts Constitution by banning same-sex marriage. MassEquality was formed by a coalition of pro-equality organizations to protect marriage equality in our state and defeat any anti-equality referendum or legislation. On June 14, 2007, MassEquality beat back the latest anti-marriage amendment, winning a legislative vote of 151 - 45. With a strong super-majority in the Legislature and the earliest opponents of equality could introduce a new referendum being 2012, marriage equality is safe in Massachusetts for the foreseeable future. MassEquality remains dedicated, however, to protecting this vital right and making sure it is safe for future generations.
