| Massachusetts
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State Information
Government Website:
http://www.mass.gov
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Outline of State Law
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| Current Status of Law Concerning Marriage and Date of Passage |
No statute language defining marriage. |
| State Law Prohibits/Voids Same Sex/Same Gender Marriage |
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| State Law Defines Marriage between a Man and a Woman |
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| State Law Denies Recognition of Same-Sex Marriages Solemnized in Other States |
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| State Law States that Same Sex Marriage is not Aligned with State Public Policy |
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| State Law Defines "Spouse" as Referring Only to a Person of the Opposite Sex Who is Married as Husband or Wife |
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Statutory Provision
None.
Current Legislative Activity
On December 7, 2005, a 120,000-signature petition (only 66,500 signatures required) was submitted to the secretary of state. On January 2, 2007, the amendment passed in the legislature by the 25% vote required (62 in favor, 138 against). Unfortunately, the measured failed to pass in the next session of the legislature.
Of Note
Same-sex marriage is currently legal in the state of Massachusetts.
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U.S. Senators
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Edward Kennedy, Democrat
http://kennedy.senate.gov/
This senator voted against the federal DOMA in 1996 but against the Marriage Protection Amendment in 2004 and 2006.
John Kerry, Democrat
http://kerry.senate.gov/
This senator voted against the federal DOMA in 1996 and did not vote on the Marriage Protection Amendment (MPA) in 2004. The senator voted against the MPA in 2006.
State Public Policy Organizations Working on Marriage Issues
Massachusetts Family Institute
Click here to return to the Marriage in the 50 States main page.
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