Out-of-state gay couples will appeal a Massachusetts court decision that upholds a 1913 law being used to block their marriages. The couples wanted the court to put an immediate halt to enforcement of the law. It denies out-of-state couples the right to marry in Massachusetts if their marriage would be illegal in their home state.
Superior Judge Carol Ball ruled the law does not discriminate because it’s now being applied to gay and straight couples. Michele Granda, an attorney for the gay couples, says they’ll file an appeal within the next couple of weeks. Granda says gays and lesbians are being denied marriage rights simply because of their sexual orientation.
Eight couples from the northeast – including one couple from Vermont – are plaintiffs in the lawsuit.