OK, enough of my bitching. I was feeling all sorry for myself yesterday, but today, I just have to take a step back and declare how much I love living in Boston and being in Massachusetts. This week in Mass. has just completely ruled - first, the Pats win what was arguably one of the best Superbowls ever played. The resulting spirit in this city has been overwhelming - Boston has always been a very independent and fiercely loyal community. To have a championship like this to celebrate lets all that show in the best way possible. I wanted to be at the rally yesterday, but the fact that I have finals starting this weekend kind of put a damper on that. But just watching it and seeing so many people so goddamn joyous to see an adored team like the Pats win was fantastic.
Secondly, the highest court in the state came down with a clarification to their unbelievable landmark decision on same-sex marriage rights in November. The Legislature had asked for a clarification about whether only actual legal marriage rights for same-sex couples would be constitutional, or if civil unions affording relatively the same rights would be acceptable. Chief Justice Margaret Marshall (my hero, and - fingers crossed - maybe my employer for the summer) issued the opinion today that ONLY marriage would be consitutional. Though this may not sound all that ground-breaking after the November decision, it means that a hell of a lot of people in this state (an interesting mix of Catholic an liberal) who had previously been all for civil unions but slightly hesitant about an actual label of "marriage" for same sex couples are now going to support marriage over nothing. To live and vote in the state that is making this HUGE political headway makes me ridiculously happy. And damn proud too.
Third, my beloved Red Sox signed my favorite player of all time - Ellis Burks - to a one-year contract today. Granted, the man is 39 and played for the Sox waaaay back when in the 80s when I was a wee child just learning to love and appreciate the game. But the man still has power, and my earliest memories of Fenway Park are watching him slam balls into the net above the Green Monster (where the seats are now situated). And that just makes me happy.
So yes. I ♥ Massachusetts.
Secondly, the highest court in the state came down with a clarification to their unbelievable landmark decision on same-sex marriage rights in November. The Legislature had asked for a clarification about whether only actual legal marriage rights for same-sex couples would be constitutional, or if civil unions affording relatively the same rights would be acceptable. Chief Justice Margaret Marshall (my hero, and - fingers crossed - maybe my employer for the summer) issued the opinion today that ONLY marriage would be consitutional. Though this may not sound all that ground-breaking after the November decision, it means that a hell of a lot of people in this state (an interesting mix of Catholic an liberal) who had previously been all for civil unions but slightly hesitant about an actual label of "marriage" for same sex couples are now going to support marriage over nothing. To live and vote in the state that is making this HUGE political headway makes me ridiculously happy. And damn proud too.
Third, my beloved Red Sox signed my favorite player of all time - Ellis Burks - to a one-year contract today. Granted, the man is 39 and played for the Sox waaaay back when in the 80s when I was a wee child just learning to love and appreciate the game. But the man still has power, and my earliest memories of Fenway Park are watching him slam balls into the net above the Green Monster (where the seats are now situated). And that just makes me happy.
So yes. I ♥ Massachusetts.
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At any rate, itsvery complicated stuff because so much of marriage is straight out of common law and deeply rooted in tradition that its never been questioned. Formally, its probably covered under Comity, not FF&Q, but its never really been tested. The only cases remotely on point are th the anti-miscegenation cases and prisoners rights to marry and they offer more confusion than guidance.
Ultimately, like other civil rights it will grow to be accepted over time and teh fact is we don't want states tom get into grudge matches over legal status being able to cross state lines, which I guarantee will happen if states start snubbing each other. Plus states will absolutely be required to recognize and administer each others divorces and child custody arrangements making it even more confusing.