We are pleased to extend our best wishes to the happy couples!!

 

 

 

Jesse Kahn and David Fernandez

Boston, MA

June 12, 2004

 

John Barnes and David Spencer

Edinburgh, Scotland UK

May 27, 2006

 

Phil and Mo Batchelor

Harrow, London

July 1, 2006

Yes, we got married in Leather vests, T-shirts and Jeans! We wanted to be the Bears that we are! LOL! Hell, we even had Creedence Clearwater's "Bad Moon Rising" as our finale' song! LOL! My partner took my last name of Batchelor

 

Steven and Marland Davidson-Wood

Santa Cruz, Ca

July 2, 2006

 

Marius Cloete and Glen Purdon

Port Elizabeth, South Africa

1 December 2006

 

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Countries that Provide Civil Marriage Equality to Same-Sex Couples

 

• Netherlands (2001)

 

• Belgium (2003)

 

• Canada (2005)

 

• Spain (2005)

 

• South Africa (1 December 2006) Choice of Marriage or Civil Union

 

• United Kingdom (2005)- UK Domestic partners can register under the Civil Partnership Act. This legislation took affect in December 5, 2005 giving registered same-sex couples rights similar to marriage in areas such as pensions, property, social security, and housing.

 

US States that Provide Civil Marriage Equality to Same-Sex Couples

 

• Massachusetts (2004)

 

Massachusetts State Supreme Court rules 4-3 that civil marriage is a constitutional right that same-sex couples should not be denied

 

"Marriage is a vital social institution," wrote Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall for the majority of the Justices. "The exclusive commitment of two individuals to each other nurtures love and mutual support; it brings stability to our society. For those who choose to marry, and for their children, marriage provides an abundance of legal, financial, and social benefits. In turn it imposes weighty legal, financial, and social obligations." The question before the court was "whether, consistent with the Massachusetts Constitution," the Commonwealth could deny those protections, benefits, and obligations to two individuals of the same sex who wish to marry. In ruling that the Commonwealth could not do so, the court observed that the Massachusetts Constitution "affirms the dignity and equality of all individuals," and "forbids the creation of second-class citizens." It reaches its conclusion, the court said, giving "full deference to the arguments made by the Commonwealth." The Commonwealth, the court ruled, "has failed to identify any constitutionality adequate reason for denying civil marriage to same-sex couples."

 

 

Marriage Equality

Group solely committed to securing the right to civil marriage for same-sex couples. Related facts, membership information, and chapters.

http://www.marriageequality.org/

 

 

Family & Parenting