Civil Marriage is a Civil Right banner outside UUA

Hillary and Julie Goodridge

Rainbow flags outside the UUA

Rev. Virginia McDaniel

Sen. Robert Havern

People listening in balcony

Sen. Jarrett Barrios

Interfaith Support of Same Sex Marriage Showcased in State House Rally

Boston, MA – January 9, 2004 Under a bitterly cold winter sun, supporters of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court's ruling allowing same sex couples the right to civil marriage jammed Nurses' Hall in the Massachusetts State House for a rally with legislators and religious leaders. The gathering, which drew over 1,000 people to the State House, was organized by MassEquality and emceed by Gary Daffin, co-chair of the Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus .

Massachusetts State Senator Jarrett T. Barrios, a leading supporter of the Freedom to Marry movement, led off the roster of speakers and introduced legislators who support the freedom to marry for all people. M. Ellen Carpenter, President-Elect of the Boston Bar Association, took the dais to proclaim, “Denying same sex couples the right to marry is a violation of their civil rights. People should be free to say that they do not like this decision…but the decision clearly states that same sex couples must be granted the right to obtain a marriage license.” Carpenter was followed by Hillary and Julie Goodridge, lead plaintiffs in the landmark Massachusetts case. Hillary Goodridge is a Unitarian Universalist who works for the Unitarian Universalist Funding Program. Her partner, Julie, spoke to the crowd, saying, "This spring I will be able to marry the love of my life and take care of her and our daughter in sickness and in health, until death do we part. We will be married, immediate family and no one will be able to take it away.”

Senator Robert Havern, Assistant Majority Whip of the State Legislature, spoke next to the crowd. He said, “This [issue] needs to not be about special interest. Call your legislators. Tell [them] that the Supreme Judicial Court has decided this matter, and it is time to move on so that legal marriage can be instituted. When people understand that it is more important to be right than comfortable, we will take a major step forward.” Cheers greeted Havern's comments, and he was followed by The Rev. George H. Welles, Jr., Rector of the Church of Our Saviour (Episcopal) in Milton, MA. Welles roused the crowd with his statement: “Today's rally is about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This is as significant a moment as the day when the struggle for women's suffrage was realized. Our bishops join hands with people of all religions in support of the right of all people to marry who they choose. There are no second-class citizens in God's Kingdom, nor will there be in this Commonwealth when the SJC ruling takes effect!”

Welles was followed by Robert Compton and David Wilson, one of the seven plaintiff couples who brought the Goodridge case to the SJC. Compton and Wilson were followed by State Majority Leader Salvatore DiMasi, who said, “This constitution should never be used as a weapon to make a citizen less than another. As guardians of [the United States'] oldest constitution, we must ensure there is never any discrimination in this cherished document.” The Rev. Virginia McDaniel, who serves Christ Church (UCC) in Lowell, spoke next, representing the position of the United Church of Christ's Massachusetts Conference. McDaniel said, “This is not just an issue of tolerance, it is an issue of justice. It is in everyone's interest to extend the protection of marriage to all those who are committed to it, rather than debating who has the right to be a family. On May 17, 1954, the United States Supreme Court ruled that discrimination on the basis of race was unconstitutional. Fifty years later, this new ruling will become law. I hope the faith community will take the lead [in supporting freedom to marry], because it is time for this discrimination to come to an end.” The State House Nurses' Hall rang with cheers and applause for Rev. McDaniel's remarks; her appearance was followed by the statement of another couple who had been together for 48 years and who look forward, on the day of their 49th anniversary, to gaining legal status as a married couple.

Senator Robert Havern and Representative Liz Malia ended the rally by thanking all those in attendance, and urging them to contact their state legislators to express their support of this key issue. Malia said, “Your presence here today is a testament to this time in history. You are here to be a mirror for the rest of the world. You speak so much more passionately when you speak to your legislators and ask them not to use the Constitution as a weapon against us.” Havern added, “I want to urge you to get on the phone and contact your representatives. When they find out how many people agree with our position, they will be amazed. The road to justice is never short, but in the end, I think this will turn out fine.”

To read UUA President William G. Sinkford's statement in support of the Massachusetts supreme Judicial Court ruling: http://www.uua.org/president/031118.html

For comprehensive coverage of the UUA's support of Freedom to Marry: http://www.uua.org/news/2003/031118.html

For information on your voting district and who your elected officials are: http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.php

For further information on contacting state elected officials, please visit massequality.org

Additional information on this issue can be found at:

The Freedom to Marry Coalition of Massachusetts

GLAD (Gay and Lesbian Defenders and Advocates)

Media coverage related to this story:

January 16, 2004 - Boston Globe: "Jewish Group OK's Same Sex Marriage" by Michael Paulson

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