On February 4, 2004, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court issued an opinion
confirming that a civil union bill does not meet the mandates of liberty
and equality of the state constitution. The Court reconfirmed that its ruling
in
Goodridge v. Dep't. of Public Health required the end of the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage.
This opinion was issued in response to the Massachusetts Senate's request
for an advisory opinion as to whether a "civil unions" bill would satisfy
the state constitution. The Court recognized that civil unions create a separate
and unequal status.
Amicus Briefs coordinated by GLAD
(filed January 12, 2004)
Additional Amicus Briefs
SJC Advisory Opinion
(February 4, 2004)
Key Quotes from the SJC Advisory Opinion
(February 4, 2004)
GLAD's Press Release
(February 4, 2004)
