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Mass. Senate Votes to Allow Out-of-State Gays to Wed

Bill shoots down 1913 marriage restriction

By Laurel Jorgensen,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 15, 2008 10:45 PM CDT
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(Newser) – A 1913 law that blocks out-of-state gay couples from marrying in Massachusetts could soon be history. The state Senate has passed a bill that would repeal the law, which former Gov. Mitt Romney used four years ago to stop gay non-residents from marrying in his state, the Boston Globe reports. Supporters of the bill called the law discriminatory and archaic.

“This is a very simple law, contrived in shame, and we ought to wipe it off the books,” said one state senator. The law, which was originally intended to prevent interracial marriage in the state, makes it illegal to marry in Massachusetts if a couple’s home state doesn’t recognize the marriage. Gov. Deval Patrick said he would “proudly” sign the repeal if the Massachusetts House passes it.

Amy Zimmerman, left, and Tanya Wexler, both of New York, speak with a reporter outside a Suffolk Superior Court courtroom in this file photo taken Tuesday, July 13, 2004, in Boston.
Amy Zimmerman, left, and Tanya Wexler, both of New York, speak with a reporter outside a Suffolk Superior Court courtroom in this file photo taken Tuesday, July 13, 2004, in Boston.   (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
An aide walks toward the Senate chamber, July 15, 2008, at the Statehouse in Boston. The Massachusetts Senate voted to repeal a 1913 law used to bar out-of-state gay couples from marrying here.
An aide walks toward the Senate chamber, July 15, 2008, at the Statehouse in Boston. The Massachusetts Senate voted to repeal a 1913 law used to bar out-of-state gay couples from marrying here.   (AP Photo/Lisa Poole)
Greg Kimball, left, and his partner of five months, Brian O'Connor, hug after Massachusetts lawmakers voted to kill a proposed constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, June 14, 2007.
Greg Kimball, left, and his partner of five months, Brian O'Connor, hug after Massachusetts lawmakers voted to kill a proposed constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, June 14, 2007.   (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
Jessica, left, and Kate, both from Cambridge, Mass., embrace after Massachusetts lawmakers voted to kill a proposed a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, Thursday, June 14, 2007.
Jessica, left, and Kate, both from Cambridge, Mass., embrace after Massachusetts lawmakers voted to kill a proposed a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, Thursday, June 14, 2007.   (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
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