Love, Rights … and the Rest of It ... Yahoo!
By: JM Sorrell*/TRT Columnist
Yahoo to California! Yippee to New York! From the start, I sensed that the Goodrich decision in Massachusetts would have reverberations around the country. We experienced numerous victories and backlashes for over three years. It seemed that going to Constitutional Conventions at the Statehouse was a routine part of my life from 2004 through 2007.
During those years, the rest of the country watched as every politician who supported same-sex marriage in Massachusetts got re-elected. Our current governor won his election with a clear, uncompromising stance in support of full marriage rights for all couples, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
This small Commonwealth has had immense influence. Our 4-3 Supreme Judicial Court decision was a unanimous decision in New Jersey three years later. In New Jersey, there was no talk of "activist judges" since most of them were Republicans! Justice Margaret Marshall endured criticism and hatred for her leadership in Massachusetts so that others could follow an easier path.
Yes, the bigots are working to muster the energy to prevent same-sex marriage from becoming law on June 17 in California, but they represent an unpopular minority opinion. The social norms have shifted. Mainstream pollsters now say that over ½ of Californians support same-sex marriage. Just two years ago, 65% opposed it.
On May 28, 2008, New York Governor David Paterson ordered that state agencies immediately change policies and regulations to recognize same sex marriage. Since there is not yet a legislative decision for same-sex marriage to be legally performed in New York, New Yorkers will have to settle for getting married elsewhere. The marriage will be recognized in New York. This is akin to Rhode Island, where same-sex couples come to Massachusetts to get married and receive full recognition for their status in Rhode Island.
What irks me is the old scare tactics from Mitt Romney that still permeate in the press. According to an Associated Press article by Michael Gormley, Massachusetts "residency requirements would bar New Yorkers from marrying there…" and they "could instead flock to California."
Wrong. If the state of residence recognizes the marriage (as in Rhode Island and New York), so will Massachusetts. The residency requirement does not apply to residents of states willing to accept Massachusetts marriages as binding.
Why don't Governor Patrick and other political movers and shakers get this word out?!? It's cheaper for New Yorkers to come to us, and it couldn't hurt our economy. I have officiated for numerous couples from out of state over the last several years. It is up to each couple to decide they may become residents at some point and to answer that question at the City Clerk's office, and Rhode Islanders have never been denied a license because of their intention to stay in Rhode Island.
Let's get with the program. Start spreading the news.
* J.M. Sorrell is a Massachusetts Justice of the Peace. She welcomes couples from all over and is especially pleased that New York and California have taken these steps during the month of May which marks the fourth anniversary of the enactment of same-sex marriage rights in Massachusetts. May has many holidays rooted in social justice.
By: JM Sorrell*/TRT Columnist
Yahoo to California! Yippee to New York! From the start, I sensed that the Goodrich decision in Massachusetts would have reverberations around the country. We experienced numerous victories and backlashes for over three years. It seemed that going to Constitutional Conventions at the Statehouse was a routine part of my life from 2004 through 2007.
During those years, the rest of the country watched as every politician who supported same-sex marriage in Massachusetts got re-elected. Our current governor won his election with a clear, uncompromising stance in support of full marriage rights for all couples, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
This small Commonwealth has had immense influence. Our 4-3 Supreme Judicial Court decision was a unanimous decision in New Jersey three years later. In New Jersey, there was no talk of "activist judges" since most of them were Republicans! Justice Margaret Marshall endured criticism and hatred for her leadership in Massachusetts so that others could follow an easier path.
Yes, the bigots are working to muster the energy to prevent same-sex marriage from becoming law on June 17 in California, but they represent an unpopular minority opinion. The social norms have shifted. Mainstream pollsters now say that over ½ of Californians support same-sex marriage. Just two years ago, 65% opposed it.
On May 28, 2008, New York Governor David Paterson ordered that state agencies immediately change policies and regulations to recognize same sex marriage. Since there is not yet a legislative decision for same-sex marriage to be legally performed in New York, New Yorkers will have to settle for getting married elsewhere. The marriage will be recognized in New York. This is akin to Rhode Island, where same-sex couples come to Massachusetts to get married and receive full recognition for their status in Rhode Island.
What irks me is the old scare tactics from Mitt Romney that still permeate in the press. According to an Associated Press article by Michael Gormley, Massachusetts "residency requirements would bar New Yorkers from marrying there…" and they "could instead flock to California."
Wrong. If the state of residence recognizes the marriage (as in Rhode Island and New York), so will Massachusetts. The residency requirement does not apply to residents of states willing to accept Massachusetts marriages as binding.
Why don't Governor Patrick and other political movers and shakers get this word out?!? It's cheaper for New Yorkers to come to us, and it couldn't hurt our economy. I have officiated for numerous couples from out of state over the last several years. It is up to each couple to decide they may become residents at some point and to answer that question at the City Clerk's office, and Rhode Islanders have never been denied a license because of their intention to stay in Rhode Island.
Let's get with the program. Start spreading the news.
* J.M. Sorrell is a Massachusetts Justice of the Peace. She welcomes couples from all over and is especially pleased that New York and California have taken these steps during the month of May which marks the fourth anniversary of the enactment of same-sex marriage rights in Massachusetts. May has many holidays rooted in social justice.
