Suit Challenges Law Barring Out-of-State Couples From Marrying in Mass.

[CShine]

BOSTON (AP) - Eight same-sex couples and 12 municipal clerks said Thursday they will mount a legal challenge to the 1913 law used to block out-of-state same-sex couples from marrying in Massachusetts. The groups said they would file two lawsuits Friday claiming the state law is unconstitutional and that it's discriminatory to enforce it against same-sex couples.

After the state's Supreme Judicial Court ruled in November that same-sex couples had a right to marry, Gov. Mitt Romney used the 1913 law to block out-of-state couples from exchanging vows in Massachusetts.

The law says marriages by nonresidents will not be recognized if their union is not legal in their home state. Several city and town clerks openly defied the order to deny marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

"The governor simply can't dust off this law to discriminate against gays and lesbians," Michelle Granda, a lawyer for Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders, which represents the eight out-of-state couples, said at a news conference Thursday morning.

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBK7I64LVD.html

[skippysmom]

1. I'd love to see Mass get rid of this stupid law

Mitt would be beside himself.

[2Design]

2. Get rid of Mitt...how did a liberal state ever vote in a repub.....they

are facing the karma of that now....