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GOODRIDGE vs. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH 440 Mass. 309

HILLARY GOODRIDGE & others vs. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH & another. 440 Mass. 309

440 Mass. 309 | 2003-11-18

HILLARY GOODRIDGE & others [Note 1] vs. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH & another. [Note 2]

440 Mass. 309

March 4, 2003 - November 18, 2003

Suffolk County

Present: MARSHALL, C.J., GREANEY, IRELAND, SPINA, COWIN, SOSMAN, & CORDY, JJ.

Summary of the provisions of G. L. c. 207, which controls entry into civil marriage. [317-318]

This court concluded that G. L. c. 207 may not be construed to permit same-sex couples to marry. [318-320]

Discussion of the nature of civil marriage, the private and social advantages it bestows, and the tangible as well as intangible benefits that flow from marriage. [320-327]

This court concluded that barring an...