massachusetts ruling clears way for gay marriage
i doubt there's anybody reading this who hasn't yet heard the news, yet i wanted to post some quotes from the massachusetts supreme judicial court's opinion and others in massachusetts regarding today's events. in my opinion the most amazing aspect was that the court simply slammed the door shut on civil unions, saying they would violate the constitution by perpetuating a «second-class citizen status» for same-sex couples.
«for no rational reason the marriage laws of the commonwealth discriminate against a defined class; no amount of tinkering with language will eradicate that stain. the bill would have the effect of maintaining and fostering a stigma of exclusion that the constitution prohibits.» -- sjc opinion.
«the dissimilitude between the terms 'civil marriage' and 'civil union' is not innocuous; it is a considered choice of language that reflects a demonstrable assigning of same-sex, largely homosexual, couples to second-class status.» -- sjc opinion.
«it's wonderful news. the court said separate but equal is not equal. it's now crystal clear, if it wasn't before, that the court meant marriage. the word itself has power and benefits that are intangible. it's a very brave and historic decision.» -- mark carmien, owner of the pride & joy bookstore in northampton.
«i want to have everyone stay in an objective and calm state as we plan and define what's the appropriate way to proceed. there is a lot of anxiety out there obviously surrounding the issue but i don't want to have it cloud or distort the discussion.» -- senate president robert travaglini.
«there's nothing new here. the court spoke last november. on may 17, all families will be treated equally in the commonwealth unless or until the voters choose to write discrimination into our constitution.» -- sen. jarrett barrios.
«there's no doubt that the radical right is going to run with the decision and try and stir up as much outrage as they can, but it's really going to be an orchestrated stirring up and an orchestrated outrage.» -- arline isaacson, massachusetts gay and lesbian political caucus.
«the history of our nation has demonstrated that separate is seldom, if ever, equal.» -- sjc opinion.
yet in ohio... a «marriage defence bill» was sent by lawmakers to governor daft, i mean, taft...
