MA Supreme Court Rules Civil Unions are NOT GOOD ENOUGH

[signsoflife.livejournal.com]

The text of the court's decision is at http://www.boston.com/news/specials/gay_marriage/sjc_020404/ (I haven't read the full document, but they use words like "repugnant" a lot.)

from www.boston.com:

The Senate's question to the SJC:

Does Sen ate, No. 2175, which prohibits same-sex couples from entering into marriage but allows them to form civil unions with all "benefits, protections, rights and responsibilities" of marriage, comply with the equal protection and due process requirements of t h e Constitution of the Commonwealth and articles 1, 6, 7, 10, 12 and 16 of the Declaration of Rights?

The SJC's answer:

We are of the opinion that Senate No. 2175 violates the eq u al protection and due process requirements of the Constitution of the Commonwealth and theMassachusetts Declaration of Rights. The bill maintains an unconstitutional, inferior, and discriminatory status for same-sex couples .... The answer to the quest i on i s "No."
-- Chief Justice Margaret Marshall, and Justices John M. Greaney, Roderick L. Ireland, Judith A. Cowin

Boston Globe Article >