By Rosalie Goldberg
Marriage equality has seemingly been a reality for Massachusetts residents for a long time, but the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) ruled the state law against gay marriage unconstitutional only ten years ago today.
The anniversary gave Newton a time to reflect and look forward.
“To know that Massachusetts was the first is huge. I definitely think… every American should have the right to marry whoever they want,” Vice Principal Mary Scott said. “I can see that the country is definitely making progress, but we need to speed it up.”
The court ruling in 2003, in response to the Goodridge v. Department of Public Health case, made Massachusetts the first state to legalize gay marriage. This ruling set a precedent that ultimately led to the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which the Supreme Court struck down in June of this year.
According to a poll conducted in 2004, only 47 percent of Massachusetts residents support same-sex marriage, whereas today, 63 percent believe the same.
Since Massachusetts’ action in 2003, 13 other states have legalized gay marriage. Lee Badgett, a professor of economics at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, told the Associated Press that at least 16,000 same-sex couples have married in Massachusetts.
“I think it has reaffirmed Massachusetts position as a home for acceptance and collaboration, and also as a home for collecting the values of a progressive society,” said Newton South chorus and music teacher Benjamin Youngman.
Youngman said that while he thinks the United States is moving in the right direction in terms of gay rights, many states still have not legalized gay marriage.
“It reminds us that certain rights are not self evident – they are hard fought. And we’ve still got a long way to go,” he said.
Newton South has long been a supporter of gay rights. In fact, South was the first public school in the country to have a gay-straight alliance.
“We are liberal to start off. The change came about because of how liberal we are,” said senior Celina Siegal, a supporter of the GSA and a former member. “Over the years there have been more rights legalized that benefits families and their children.”
Junior Sally Stack agreed, and also sees Massachusetts having a positive effect on other states.
“It’s just kind of like a ripple effect. It’s legal in other states now,” she said.
Reporting done by Leda Olia, Melanie Erspamer, Mary Levine, Sheila Tobin, and Siena Small
