FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 29, 2004

GLAD Hails Supreme Court’s Refusal to Hear Challenge to Goodridge

Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) was pleased but not surprised that the United States Supreme Court declined to hear Largess v. Supreme Judicial Court of the State of Massachusetts. The case was one of many challenges to Goodridge v Department of Public Health, the November 2003 SJC decision that granted marriage rights to same-sex couples in the Commonwealth.

“Largess was a last-ditch effort by marriage opponents and had very little chance of success from the get-go,” said Gary Buseck, Legal Director at GLAD. The suit asserted that the SJC had violated the U.S. Constitution’s guarantee of a republican form of government in each state. “It was a ludicrous argument, and we demonstrated that.”

Since May 17, 2004, more than 4,000 same-sex couples have applied for marriage licenses in Massachusetts. In the November legislative elections in Massachusetts, all incumbents who supported the Goodridge decision were returned to the State House. Buseck said the result was an important indicator that “Marriage has not had a volatile effect here. We’ve seen nothing but happy couples and secure families.”

On behalf of the original seven plaintiff couples in Goodridge, GLAD intervened in the Largess case. While the Supreme Court’s refusal represents one small battle, “there will be many others,” said Buseck.