Goodridge v. Department of Public Health
From Judgepedia
Goodridge v. Department of Public Health is the November 18, 2003 decision of Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court legalizing gay marriage in Massachusetts. The 4-3 decision was written by Chief Justice Margaret Marshall, joined in the majority by John Greaney, Roderick Ireland and Judith Cowin.
Robert Cordy, Francis Spina and Martha Sosman wrote dissenting opinions.
Details
In its 50-page ruling, the court found that the state may not "deny the protections, benefits and obligations conferred by civil marriage to two individuals of the same sex who wish to marry." Chief Justice Marshall, writing for the majority, wrote that the state's constitution "affirms the dignity and equality of all individuals" and "forbids the creation of second-class citizens" and that the state had no "constitutionally adequate reason" for denying marriage to same-sex couples. On the legal aspect, instead of creating a new fundamental right to marry, or more accurately the right to choose to marry, the Court held that the State does not have a rational basis to deny same-sex couples from marriage on the ground of due process and equal protection.
See also
- In re Marriage Cases, the May 15, 2008 decision of the California Supreme Court legalizing gay marriage in California.
- Kerrigan & Mock v. Connecticut Dept. of Public Health, the October 10, 2008 decision of the Connecticut Supreme Court legalizing gay marriage in Connecticut.
