Mass. set to allow out-of-state gay couples to wed

[shawmut]

Source: Associated Press

BOSTON - Gov. Deval Patrick is set to sign a bill that will allow gay couples who live outside Massachusetts to marry in the state.

A spokesman for the governor says the signing ceremony will take place at noon Thursday in the Statehouse. The change in the law will take effect immediately because the Legislature attached a provision waiving the customary 90-day waiting period.

The bill repeals a 1913 law that said couples could not marry in Massachusetts if their unions would be illegal in their home states.

The law has blocked same-sex couples who live outside of Massachusetts from getting married in the state, which began allowing gay weddings in 2004.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080731/ap_on_re_us/gay_marriage

[shawmut]

1. update: Governor signs law allowing out-of-state gays to wed

July 31, 2008 01:10 PM

By Michael Levenson, Globe Staff

Surrounded by cheering, clapping gay rights activists and legislators, Governor Deval Patrick today signed a bill repealing a 95-year-old statute that had prevented gay and lesbian couples from most other states from marrying in Massachusetts.

"It's a good day," said Patrick, declaring that the repeal will "confirm a simple truth: that is, in Massachusetts, equal means equal."

Massachusetts will "continue to lead the way as a national leader" and affirm "all people come before their government as equals," Patrick said in a bill-signing ceremony at the Statehouse's Grand Staircase. Gay marriage "is still troubling for some of our citizens," he said, "but it is still the law."

Patrick, who turned 52 today, also called the bill "a great birthday present."


more ... http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/07/gov_to_sign_bil.html

[unpossibles]

2. this is great nt

[SecularMotion]

4. Congratulations to MassEquality and the GLBT community

Happy Birthday Governor Patrick.

I'm proud to be a resident of the commonwealth of Massachusetts.

[fascisthunter]

3. my state... good job!

fuck the bigots

[uppityperson]

5. k&r

[smoogatz]

6. B-b-b-b-but straight people will stop getting married!!!!1!1!

Or something.

[Mnemosyne]

10. No, no, no; men will marry dogs and women will marry 8 year olds.

How soon Scumtorum is forgotten. :evilgrin:

And bless Mass. for sense.

[Mabus]

7. One state at a time

It has been a struggle but it is great to see common sense breaking out.

[appal_jack]

8. Time to apply the "full faith and credit" clause:

Per Section IV of the US Constitution:

"Section 1. Full faith and credit shall be given in each state to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state. And the Congress may by general laws prescribe the manner in which such acts, records, and proceedings shall be proved, and the effect thereof.

Section 2. The citizens of each state shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of citizens in the several states."

So those Massachusetts marriage licenses for gay couples CAN and SHOULD be recognized by all other states, and the Federal Government as well.

Hurrah for another step toward equality!

-app

[superconnected]

9. That poping is the sound of freepers heads exploding all over the US.

Thanks MA!

[appal_jack]

11. heh - you said 'poping'

I bet some freepers' heads are poping from this! The question then becomes, is the Pope's head also freeping from this?

-app

Edit to add that I hope not! A freeping pope head would be scary!!1!11!!! :scared:

:yoiks: Or is Pope Rat-zinger's head already freeping?