[News-releases] Feminists Cheer Massachusetts Supreme Court RulingFavoring Marriage Rights For Same-Sex Couples

NOW Press Office
202-628-8669 Rebecca Farmer, x 116
202-785-8576 (fax)

Feminists Cheer Massachusetts Supreme Court Ruling Favoring Marriage Rights
For Same-Sex Couples, Call on Legislature to Continue Court's Commitment to
Equality

November 18, 2003

"Today's ruling from the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in Goodridge
v. Department of Public Health is a landmark victory--not just for lesbian
and gay rights, but for women's rights, civil rights and human rights,"
said National Organization for Women (NOW) President Kim Gandy. "The
Commonwealth's High Court articulated the unconstitutionality of preventing
same-sex couples from marrying, and clearly said that inequality must end."

"The right to civil marriage for same-sex couples is an essential step on
the road to full equality," Gandy said. "Heterosexual married couples are
afforded over 1000 legal protections and benefits in state and federal law
which are inaccessible to committed samesex couples." Benefits of civil
marriage include access to health care and medical decision making for your
partner and your children; parenting rights; Social Security; taxation,
inheritance and other government benefits; as well as the simple ability to
pool resources to buy or transfer property without adverse tax treatment. 

"Lesbian and gay couples in Massachusetts aren't yet able to receive a
marriage license. That's because the Court has given the legislature 180
days to comply with the ruling," Gandy said.

"NOW urges lawmakers in Massachusetts to accept the court's decision and
swiftly defeat a proposed constitutional amendment currently before them
which would legally define marriage as a union between one man and one
woman," Gandy said. "The rights inherent in civil marriage are incredibly
basic rights. Allowing equal access to marriage promotes strong family
values--despite ludicrous allegations otherwise from the right-wing."

"Marriage is a legal issue, not an ideological playground. It's not about
what you believe or don't believe--this is about what is fair and just,"
Gandy said. "Activists from coast to coast are counting on Massachusetts
lawmakers to act in accordance with their Court and dismantle the
heterosexual monopoly on marriage in their state."

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