| On November 18, 2003, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that same and opposite-sex couples must be given equal civil marriage rights under the state constitution. On that day, the supreme court made history that will never be forgotten. Never again will same-sex marriages interfere with the right of religious institutions such as churches, synagogues, and mosques. Thanks to GLAD (Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders), gay people are starting to finally gain the rights and equality that is much deserved. Same-sex couples can now visit each other in the hospital, make important health care and financial decisions for each other, have mutual obligations to provide support for each other, file joint state tax returns and have the burden and advantages of the state tax law for married couples, and receive hundreds of other protections under state law. The is only the first step to many equal rights to come. Hopefully other states will follow the same lead and then more and more states will recogize it and legalize it. |
