Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.

Same-Sex Marriage: Massachusetts Sets the Precedent

BY Shari Levitan
March 18, 2004

[Editor's Note: The following information was up-to-date as of press-time. Rulings on same-sex marriage are being issued daily. For the very latest news on same-sex marriages in Massachusetts and the rest of the country, as it happens, go to www.ljnonline.com and access the interactive map.]

One month after the highest court in Massachusetts, the Supreme Judicial Court (SJC), issued its decision on the unconstitutionality of the denial of same-sex marriage in Goodridge v. Department of Public Health, the Massachusetts Senate prepared draft legislation authorizing civil unions (Senate No. 2175). The legislation intended to grant same-sex couples “all the benefits, protections, rights and responsibilities afforded by the marriage laws” while still “preserving the traditional, historic nature and meaning of the institution of civil marriage.” The civil union legislation created a separate, yet arguably equal, set of benefits and privileges for same-sex couples. The legislation, however, also denied same-sex couples the right to civil marriage and thereby lacked the intangible benefits of marriage that the Goodridge decision noted are “important components of marriage as a 'civil right.'” The Massachusetts Senate asked the SJC to review the civil union legislation and offer an advisory opinion on its constitutionality.

Advisory Opinion

This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only

  • Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
  • Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
  • Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts

For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473

Read These Next
Yachts, Jets, Horses & Hooch: Specialized Commercial Leasing Models Image

Defining commercial real estate asset class is essentially a property explaining how it identifies — not necessarily what its original intention was or what others think it ought to be. This article discusses, from a general issue-spot and contextual analysis perspective, how lawyers ought to think about specialized leasing formats and the regulatory backdrops that may inform what the documentation needs to contain for compliance purposes.

Hyperlinked Documents: The Latest e-Discovery Challenge Image

As courts and discovery experts debate whether hyperlinked content should be treated the same as traditional attachments, legal practitioners are grappling with the technical and legal complexities of collecting, analyzing and reviewing these documents in real-world cases.

Identifying Your Practice's Differentiator Image

How to Convey Your Merits In a Way That Earns Trust, Clients and Distinctions Just as no two individuals have the exact same face, no two lawyers practice in their respective fields or serve clients in the exact same way. Think of this as a "Unique Value Proposition." Internal consideration about what you uniquely bring to your clients, colleagues, firm and industry can provide untold benefits for your law practice.

Risks and Ad Fraud Protection In Digital Advertising Image

The ever-evolving digital marketing landscape, coupled with the industry-wide adoption of programmatic advertising, poses a significant threat to the effectiveness and integrity of digital advertising campaigns. This article explores various risks to digital advertising from pixel stuffing and ad stacking to domain spoofing and bots. It will also explore what should be done to ensure ad fraud protection and improve effectiveness.

Turning Business Development Plans Into Reality Image

This article offers practical insights and best practices to navigate the path from roadmap to rainmaking, ensuring your business development efforts are not just sporadic bursts of activity, but an integrated part of your daily success.