MA: gay marriage legal

[magid]

I'm surprised that the SJC of MA ruled that gay marriage is legal by the state constitution (who'da thunk it?), but for some reason isn't immediately allowing marriage licenses to be issued to gay couples. Eh? (There is supposed to be a solution within 180 days. I don't understand why one part and not the other.)

This makes so many friends happy :-).
For me, it also emphasizes the different roles of government and religion in sanctifying a union.

Comments

[bitty.livejournal.com]

by referring it to teh legislature and not requiring licenses be issued immediately, they're basically telling the legislature to go ahead and amend the constitution, or to allow civil unions. the SJC just gave the legislature a very big Get Out Of Gay Marriage Free card.

[magid.livejournal.com]

Do you think the legislature has enough support to amend the constitution?

[bitty.livejournal.com]

yes :(

[curly-chick.livejournal.com]

I think that the SJC HAD to allow the 180 day period. Otherwise, if the legislature amends it what happens to people who wed in that period? They can't get divorced, but they may be married because the SJC has so ruled. What about insurance? What about all the intestacy rules?

[magid.livejournal.com]

I assumed that these issues had been worked out in the case of hetero couples, and that they would fall into place the same ways for gay couples. Or would that have to be worked out in each case, that the laws are the same/parallel?

[bitty.livejournal.com]

jwg just pointed out that any amendment made wouldn't take effect until 2006 at this point. that's two years they'd have to work out the details. tehy're just copping out 'cause they can. this way they avoid responsibility - they look good to pro-gay marriage groups, but don't actually have to worry about gay marriage happening by passing responsibility to the legislature.