COLAGE is thrilled to applaud yesterday's ruling by the Massachusetts Supreme Court   which states that same-sex couples are legally entitled to wed under the state constitution. The ruling in Goodridge et al. v. Department of Public Health makes the state the first in the nation to grant same-sex couples the right to a civil marriage license. The definition of civil marriage in   Massachusetts is "the voluntary union of two persons as spouses, to the exclusion of all others. " However, the court's decision does not allow marriage licenses to be issue to the plaintiff couples. The 4-3 decision orders the Massachusetts Legislature to create a solution within 180 days. This ruling is similar to the 1999 Vermont decision, which led to its legislature's creation of civil unions in 2000.

The Boston-based Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) brought the case on behalf of seven gay and lesbian couples after they were denied civil marriage certificates solely because they were same-sex couples. The suit argued that the right to marry the person of one's choice is protected under the state constitution, and further, that the state cannot justify excluding gay and lesbian couples and their families from the institution of marriage and the hundreds of protections it provides.

Beth Teper, Executive Director commented, "This is a great leap forward in the ongoing battle to secure benefits and protections for our families. I can only hope that other states will follow Massachusett's positive example."

Christine Bachman of Sudbury, Massachusetts who is a recent addition to the COLAGE Board of Directors and is the 16 year old daughter of a gay dad shared, "I am thrilled that finally my father may soon have the option to legally marry in Massachusetts.   This is a huge step in a very positive direction.   I am confident that the Massachusetts Supreme Court decision not to ban gay marriage will encourage other states in USA to consider supporting gay marriage.   I hope that this decision is a reflection of the wishes of US citizens, and that they may see the necessity for any US citizen to legally marry whomever they love."

In San Francisco, COLAGE members attended a celebration of the Massachusetts decision in the Castro District. Marina Gatto, a 15 year old daughter of lesbian moms spoke at the rally and eloquently represented youth who are part of the efforts to secure marriage rights for LGBT families. Marina expressed how important it is to her that LGBT families and partnerships be validated and recognized by society through legislation that provides same-sex couples access to marriage. She also encouraged attendees to continue to the fight so that all couples, all families and all youth in every state would have the right to marry. Eleven-year old Alex Morris, son of lesbian moms and gay dads also shared that gay marriage could help diminish homophobia that kids with families like his face. Being able to tell his peers that his parents were married might help prove that his family really isn't that different from the traditional heterosexual family.