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Mass. Senate votes to let out-of-state gays marry
The Associated Press
Issue date: 7/16/08 Section: News
BOSTON - The Massachusetts Senate voted Tuesday to repeal a 1913 law used to bar out-of-state gay couples from marrying in the state, a law that critics say was originally aimed at interracial marriages.
The law prohibits couples from obtaining marriage licenses if they can't legally wed in their home states.
The House is expected to vote on the repeal measure later this week. The Senate action came on a voice vote.
After Massachusetts became the first state to allow gay marriages in 2004, then-Gov. Mitt Romney ordered town clerks to enforce the then-little-known 1913 law and deny licenses to out-of-state couples.
Critics, including Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick, the state's first black governor, said the 95-year-old statute carries a racist taint and needs to be repealed.
The law dates to a time when the majority of states still outlawed interracial marriages, and backers of repeal said the law was intended to smooth relations with those states.
Massachusetts has allowed interracial marriages since 1843.
The law prohibits couples from obtaining marriage licenses if they can't legally wed in their home states.
The House is expected to vote on the repeal measure later this week. The Senate action came on a voice vote.
After Massachusetts became the first state to allow gay marriages in 2004, then-Gov. Mitt Romney ordered town clerks to enforce the then-little-known 1913 law and deny licenses to out-of-state couples.
Critics, including Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick, the state's first black governor, said the 95-year-old statute carries a racist taint and needs to be repealed.
The law dates to a time when the majority of states still outlawed interracial marriages, and backers of repeal said the law was intended to smooth relations with those states.
Massachusetts has allowed interracial marriages since 1843.
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Peace Love
posted 7/17/08 @ 9:34 AM MST
Why does the "Associated Press" always refer to certain people by the color of their skin.
This type of reporting carries a racist taint and needs to be ended. (Continued…)
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