Today, gays and lesbians took another historic step forward in the march
for equality as the Supreme Court of Mas-sachusetts ruled 4-3 that
same-sex couples are legally entitled to marry under the state
constitution.
In its decision, the Court stated, "The state has no reason to ban
same-sex marriage."
Unlike the Canadian marriage court decision which was immediately
implemented, the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruling ordered the state
Legislature to come up with a solution within 180 days. The decision
stopped short of allowing marriage licenses to be issued to the couples
who challenged the law.
In July of this year in Toronto, Canada, I legally wed my partner of 18
years, Phillip Ray DeBlieck. During our wedding, I told the press I
believed that at least one state in the United States would rule in favor
of same-sex marriage within five years. I had no idea this would happen in
five months.
I salute community leaders in Massachusetts who have worked tirelessly
to bring equality to that state’s marriage laws. I am especially pleased
to recognize MCC clergyperson Rev. Joan Saniuk, whose work on behalf of
marriage equality has made a profound difference in that state.
Our work is not done, and this victory is not final. There is already a
strong movement in the Massachusetts Legislature to circumvent this court
ruling with an anti-gay amendment to the state constitution.
History will view today’s decision in Goodridge et. al. vs.
Department of Public Health as one of the most significant steps in our
ongoing struggle for GLBT equality under the law.
Metropolitan Community Churches, which performs more than 6000 same-sex
weddings each year, celebrate today’s decision and reaffirms its work to
assure that equality under the law is provided to all citizens.
Rev. Troy D. Perry
MCC Founder and Moderator
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, staff and volunteers of the GLCCB,
thank you for your contribution for our auction. Your support furthers the
important work of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community
Center of Baltimore and Central Maryland.
GLCCB is the only organization in the state of Maryland to serve our
large and diverse community by providing meeting space, organizational
support and so much more. Gay Life, our biweekly newspaper, is widely
distributed and read in the Baltimore, Washington, Rehoboth Beach areas
and beyond. Our recent Pride Festival was attended by thousands, and was a
success by any standard.
Your gift means you are helping in the efforts of the Center to be a
viable presence in the community. Thank you for your support.
Timothy Hurley, President
Marc Beachy, Coordinator
GLCCB Baltimore
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank CAMP
Rehoboth for sponsoring and decorating a table at our Sixteenth Annual
Thanksgiving Ball. The decorated tables are the highlight of the evening.
The net proceeds from this year’s event will help fund the Vision
2005 Capital Campaign. This campaign, the largest in the history of the
Beebe Medical Center, will make possible the significant expansion and
renovation of the Emergency Department and infrastructure improvements on
the Savannah Road campus. The Campaign is also helping to support the
construction of the new Outpatient Care Center on Route 24.
We would like to thank you for your support of this annual event.
Marcia J. Marvel, Director
Beebe Medical Foundation
Editor’s note: CAMP Rehoboth’s table, decorated by Murray
Archibald, won the blue ribbon for Most Creative Table.
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