Happy Anniversary, Massachusetts: 9 Years with the freedom to marry

Today marks the ninth anniversary of the first weddings between same-sex couples in Massachusetts! In November 2003, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that there is no rational, legal basis to deny a marriage license to same-sex couples, and on May 17, 2004, same-sex couples began to be issued marriage licenses.

Now, less than ten years after that historic day in Massachusetts, same-sex couples across the New England region have the freedom to marry, thanks to the recent passage of a marriage bill in Rhode Island. Learn how we won the freedom to marry across the region HERE.  

Since the first weddings took place eight years ago, over 19,000 same-sex couples have wed in the state. Freedom to Marry's own National Campaign Director, Marc Solomon, served as Executive Director for MassEquality when the state passed the freedom to marry.

Yesterday, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, the Respect for Marriage Coalition, and Mayor Tom Menino of Boston celebrated the ninth anniversary by inviting couples and families in the state to the Boston Public Garden for a large group photo following a presentation and remarks from Mayor Menino, who has served for over a year as a founding chair of Mayors for the Freedom to Marry. 

As majority support for the freedom to marry continues to grow, we must continue to celebrate states like Massachusetts, where same-sex couples have been demonstrating for nine years that the freedom to marry is positive, fair, and necessary.