It’s official! Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed a measure repealing a 1913 law that prohibited out-of-state homos from getting hitched in the Bay State. This means, of course, that all you engaged gays can cross the line and take the plunge.
Patrick told the gathered crowd that the proves the true meaning of equality:
…In Massachusetts equal means equal. Today by repealing the nearly century old law, we affirm the right of same-sex couples from out of state to marry in Massachusetts; to enjoy all of the protections of our good laws. Today by repealing this law we continue to lead the way as a national leader. Today by repealing this law we have affirmed the Democratic principle that all people come before their government as equals.
In addition to repealing the 1913 law, Patrick also signed the MassHealth Equality Bill, which gives queer couples the same Medicaid benefits as their straight counterparts.
mark
smooches Gov. Patrick
Tony Perkin’s brain implodes…film at 11
Rhea
I live in Boston. It will be interesting to see how many out-of-staters will come to Mass. to marry. Should be a real cottage industry!
thatguyfromboston
Muahahahaha! Suck on it Cali!
thatguyfromboston
I hope that doesn’t cause offense. just trying to set up a little good natured east coast/west coast rivalry is all.
reversion
All that’s left is some gays going back to their home states with Constitutional amendments barring the marriages, and seek their recognition.
I’ll sit back and enjoy the ensuing shit storms.
mark
P-town wedding chapels, Autumn colors….Ker-ching
mark
CA you might as well jump on the queer tourism dollars, now that ALL STATE residents can have same sex marriages.
$15 Billion in debt CA…think you might like EXTRA tourism…ya think?
PJ
I applaud Massachusetts and California for these laws. Legal marriage in both states is a great step for all of us.
At the risk of sounding like a wet blanket, I want to remind that there are still states that will not recognize a legal marriage. If you are from Texas or Florida, for example, you may marry in California or Massachusetts and still not be legally married in your home state. I also want to remind that the Federal Government does not recognize these marriages by Congressional Law.
Even in my own state of NJ, we have civil unions but we do not have marriage and the marriages are not recognized.
(NY and RI will recognize the marriages though.)
While this is a HUGE victory and we have a right to cheer, we still have a long way to go.