Constitutional Law

Mass. Lawmakers Pave Way To Recognize Other States' Gay Marriages

Massachusetts lawmakers have revoked a 1913 law that bars unlawful out-of-state marriages. The New York Times reported that the repeal of the out-of-state marriage ban comes fours years after the state become the first in the nation to recognize same-sex marriage. According to the newspaper, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick will sign the bill repealing the law and that the action could have a “multimillion-dollar benefit in weddings and tourism, especially from people who live in New York.”  

The sponsor of the bill to repeal the old law, State Senator Dianne Wilkerson (D), cited California’s move to recognize same-sex marriage as additional incentive. “We really think that it is a good thing that we be prepared to receive the economic benefit.” She told the Times that an economic boost was not the driving force behind the repeal, but that “it certainly is a perk.”

In May, the California Supreme Court invalidated two state laws that limited marriages to unions between a man and a woman, ruling that gay men and lesbians have a state constitutional right to marry.  Social conservative groups are seeking to overturn the high court ruling with a November ballot initiative, Proposition 8, which would amend the state constitution to define marriage as solely between a man and a woman. The California Supreme Court ruled today that Proposition 8 would remain on the state’s general election ballots.

Full post as published by ACS Blog on July 16, 2008 (boomark / email).