Marriage Equality Celebrates 20 Years

It’s hard to believe that we’re approaching the 20th anniversary of Marriage Equality in this country & we’re proud that OUTTAKE was instrumental in making that happen. On November 18th 2003 the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court issued its watershed decision in Goodridge v. Department of Public Health making Massachusetts the first U.S. state where same gender couples could legally marry to take effect on May 17th 2004. Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall wrote in her victorious decision stating, “The Massachusetts Constitution affirms the dignity & equality of all Individuals. It forbids the creation of second-class citizens.” To kick off this monumental ruling for our LGBTQ community GLAD the architects of marriage equality will celebrate this historic anniversary by presenting the 24th Spirit of Justice Award on November 9th to the 14 Goodridge plaintiffs. Mary L. Bonauto GLAD’s Senior Director of Civil Rights stated, "When the SJC decided Goodridge, it forever changed the standards for how LGBTQ+ people must be treated under law & raised the bar for equality across the country. This momentous victory would not have happened without the courage, commitment & perseverance of the fourteen Goodridge plaintiffs. Their willingness to repeatedly open themselves to public scrutiny, to share the truth of their lives with their neighbors & to face opposition from powerful leaders & institutions, ushered in legal & cultural shifts toward greater acceptance, protection & integration of LGBTQ+ people & families in our communities. We remain grateful for the powerful & empowering efforts of the Goodridge plaintiffs in making marriage equality a reality in Massachusetts & beyond.” WATCH HISTORIC VIDEO

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