On Nov 18, 2003, the Mass Supreme Court ruled that restrictions on same sex marriage were unconstituional. Their ruling went into effect May 17, 2004; 20 years ago today. And, we have come a long way. Over 80% of Bay Staters today support the rights of same sex couples to marry, the highest support in the nation.
Despite this, haters remain around us. They are attempting to get elected to local school boards, not to make schools better but to ban inclusive curriculae. Proud Boys and similar groups have shut down Drag Queen Storyhours. Librarians and teachers are under attack for curating inclusive materials. Queer youth continue to be marginalized in some schools.
Gay couples only seek the same rights as straight people, the right to love, marry, raise a family, be recognized when their spouse or child faces a medical emergency.
Worldwide, gay couples can now marry in 37 nations, including most of North and South America, most of Western Europe, and in Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Nepal, and South Africa. Massachusetts played no small role in that struggle for queer equality. Hate has no place in 2024, whether that be homophobia, racism, or hate for religious or ethnic groups.