To submit your own quote, click here

"At the end of the day, all you can do is do the right thing. The SJC did that."

-- Margie W.
Human Services Coordinator

"Marriage is the union beween one man and one woman till death do them part.."

-- Bill D.
Postal Worker

"I support the SJC decision on gay marriages. Marriage is a civil, not necessarily a religious, contract between two people, and it is inappropriate for religious interests to attempt to define who should be married in a country where separation of church and state is a Constitutional mandate. On the other hand, Democrats no doubt will be hurt by this issue. As my brother, Jack in Montana says, "Guns, gays and God" are often the real issues in Montana elections, part of the reason (along with deindustrialization and the waning of labor union strength) that Montana, once an exception in the mountain states in its strong Demo strength, has turned Republican. I have no idea how to finesse this one. Perhaps "civil unions" is the best answer right now.
"

-- Richard D.
Newspaper Reporter

"The SJC decision on gay marriage makes it clear that there are to be no second class citizens or families in the Commonwealth! Our legislature must rise to this monumental occasion and enact legislation that recognizes and affirms the rights and dignity of all gay couples who seek to have their relationships recognized and sanctioned by law."

-- Phillip
Business Office Director

"I'd prefer gay marriage; it's a civil matter not a religious one so I don't care what the freak'n fundamentalist preachers have to say. However, I know there have to be compromises with the other side so I'd accept %22civil unions%22 as long as they carried all the same rights and benefits as marriage to go along with all the responsibilities for family I already shoulder."

-- Laurie T
Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist

"All Americans should be able to enjoy ALL of the benefits, rights and responsibilities EQUALLY. A division between Church & State is essential especially in this country where the TAXPAYERS come from diverse beliefs and religions. Everyone regardless of their sex, color, national origin, creed, beliefs, religious values MUST pay into the coffers of All American Govt institutions. As such ALL should have exactly the same rights, priveledges, and responsibilities without prejudice. Enough said move on to the real threat to MARRIAGE, NO FAULT DIVORCE!!!"

-- Jose V
WebMaster Student

"This a sin in god eyes."

-- Danny S.
Manager

"I am a lesbian living in Alabama. The integrity of the State of Massachusetts means a great deal to those of us who know we will never be treated fairly in our own states. I'd like to thank you for what you have done for the entire GLBT community."

-- Victoria
Teacher

"I will not cast any votes for any democrats that do not continue to support this ruling."

-- Robert V..
AVP Financial Services

"Bravo to the SJC! It's simple our constitution does not allow for segments of our population to be treated differently than other segments. Therefore, we should all be concerned when one segment of the population trys to amend our constitution to deny rights to other citizens.

One of the things that our ancestors had the foresight to install in our government is a separation of church and state. Without that separation, we would lose our religious freedom. Beware of any group that uses its religious beliefs as an excuse to amend our constitution"

-- Charlene J.
Engineer

"Marriage is about committment, and if you're capable of understanding the importance and seriousness of marriage, then I say you should be able to get married. Let's make this opportunity available to everybody!"

-- Lisa C.
Equine Massage Therapist

"I support equal rights for all and that includes gay-marriage."

-- Ken T.
Information Technology

"I totally support marriage for gays and lesbians and hope the legislature will allow the State Supreme Court decision to stand as it was intended."

-- Jodie N.
Educator

"I wholeheartedly support gay marriage and the SJC's decision because I'm a Democrat and democrats stand for justice, dignity, civil rights, and equal treatment under the law for all people. We need to overcome the fear-mongering of the right and stand-up for what is right and good in America."

-- Patrick B.
Attorney

"To some, marriage may be a sacrament, but not in civil society; it's simply a contract or a promise. To go out of our way to discriminate against gay people is just plain wrong. It's the 21st century: time to recognize that gay people exist and deserve happy marriages and economic benefits that accompany it, just like the rest of us."

-- David E.
Teacher

"I believe every one should have equal rights. There should be no discrimination period ."

-- Robert I.
Self Employed

"Forbidding law abiding, tax paying citizens from equal opportunities under the law is unconstitutional, plain and simple."

-- Jonathan B.
Student

"How can you claim to promote and support families and children when you openly promote and support the most un-natural life-style America is, sadly enough, slowly allowing to creep in on her society? "

-- Anne
Unknown

"We strongly support the SJC ruling. Marriage has not historically been confined to one man/one woman. Gay people and lesbians deserve the full protection and benefits that anyone else in a committed relationship receive. As the most progressive state in the union, one we are proud to live in, Massachusetts deserves to be the bellwether in what will be a universal right in the future."

-- Jay and Susan.
Retired

"I believe we should give everyone equal rights but as a catholic I can only support men and women being allowed to marry."

-- Jason G.
Union Organizer

"I believe that marriage should be a right for all people. In an era where the general public can vote for a couple on television to be married, gay marriage will not be a step down for the institution but a step up."

-- Michelle
Librarian

"I believe we should give everyone equal rights but as a catholic I can only support men and women being allowed to marry."

-- Jason G.
Union Organizer

"Hooray! I am so proud to be from Massachusetts. This is an important step toward full equal rights for all."

-- Maria
Student

"It's about time we starting treating gays and lesbians as equal under marriage laws. I'm straight but I'm still proud to be from the first state to do it!"

-- Michael B.
High School Student

"I absolutely support the SJC's ruling. Equality for all citizens is essential for a health democracy. Discrimination against same-sex couples is unacceptable.
I urge the Democratic Party to take a bold stand in favor of social justice."

-- Carl S.
Manager of Research Operations

"All people deserve equal protection under the law, and gays and lesbians deserve to have their marital commitments be fully legal and guarantee their rights and security--the same as heterosexual couples. I am a married heterosexual, and feel 100% supportive of civil unions, marriage or whatever will secure total equality for homosexual couples and parents."

-- Tina
Environmental Activist

"Gays should be allowed to marry, civil unions will not provide equal protection under the law, and I believe the court was clear that marriage was to be allowed."

-- Arle
Housewife

"The courts did the right thing by treating homosexuals like human beings and not like second-class citizens. Denying homosexuals the right to marry on the basis of religion is perverting Christ's message of love and acceptance to promote one's own hate and ignorance-driven views. Denying them on the basis of the "traditions and history of marriage" conveniently ignores the fact that marriage was, for centuries, used to consolidate power structures in feudal Europe and had little if anything to do with love. The 'family values' argument is feeble because no one has yet bothered to define family values and how homosexual marriage would compromise them. And disputing homosexuals' right to marry on the basis of a definition in the dictionary is specious reasoning at its best...the dictionary holds no more sway over moral issues than VCR programming instructions. Besides: how does homosexual marriage truly infringe upon another's life? It doesn't."

-- Mike
Reporter

"Free Americans MUST be allowed to marry who they choose. Democrats are far too eager to cower to Religious fanatics."

-- Ellen
Photographer

"I absolutely support gay marriage. Anything short of providing every single right afforded to heterosexual couples to gay couples is nothing less than intolerance. I would find it very difficult to support any intolerant candidate for any office."

-- John M.
Architecture

"I am totally in support of the decision by the SJC in favor of Same Sex Marriage. As a person who has spent 30 years in a monogamous same sex relationships and have held numnberous civic position including Town Clerk and Justice of the Peace. Why am I not entitled to the same partnershipd rights as others in the Commonwealth?"

-- Anne S.
Asst. Town Clerk

"All (humans) are created equal and are therefore entitled to the same rights under the law."

-- Pat O.
Educator

"It is refreshing that SOMEONE wants to get married and not just live together. Let the ruling stand: allow them to marry."

-- Ken
High School Teacher

"Great!."

-- Anne
Teacher

"I guess I'm old fashioned, I still understand marriage as defined by the American Dictionary of the English Language to be "a state of being husband and wife, i.e.the legal union of a man and a woman as husband and wife."
I believe the SJC went way beyond it's powers and is in fact making law, not interpreting the law.
I think that gays and lesbians should not be denied benefits and protection of the law but let us enact civil legislation that will accomplish that. But please don't call it a marriage."

-- Reginald T
Retired Teacher

"Who's the husband. Who is the wife??
No to Gay marrige."

-- Don S
Realtor

"It is critical that the Democratic Party fully support marriage rights, rather than domestic partner rights, for the GLBT citizens of the Commonwealth. As an African American member of our party, I plead for us not to accept 'seperate but equal' status for any member of our community."

-- Andrew S
Non-Profit Senior Manager

"The ruling by the SJC providing equal rights to gay couples and families are what our constitution and the most well tested key provisions of the law have established. It is an anathema to believe that there is any other answer to this question."

-- Sandra T.
Engineer

"I support the rights of all citizens to make personal choices regarding their lifestyle. No one is asking any religion to marry anyone. I would prefer the term "civil unions" rather than marriage. The Catholic church has more pertinent issues of its own, rather than becoming so energized about a civil issue. It is time the cahtolic church realized that it is no longer the Middle Ages. In the U.S. there is a necessary separation between the church and the State."

-- Mary H.
Professor Emirata

"I believe that the State should not unnecessarily prescribe who may marry whom. Thus, I am quite content with the recent decision of the Mass SJC. It is a matter of simple justice that equal rights, process and protection be afforded to all. In my view, the debate about marriage and civil unions is a distinction without a difference, It is the civil action that is critical in the SJC's decision; religions are free to do as they please in their ceremonies and recognition of marriage. Indeed, the views of religions ought have no bearing on the institution of civil marriage or union. "

-- Thomas.
Biochemist, Retired

"The SJC has made me proud to call Massachusetts home. In addition, the progressive citizens of Massachusetts supporting the decision make me equally as proud. The decision does not require churches to marry same-sex couples, so I can't see what the problem is. The "expenses" associated with this decision will also be negligible since most partners in same-sex relationships secure their own benefits and protections. It will simply be a matter of cost-shifting. Furthermore, homosexuals have never really complained about paying taxes to support local school systems and programs offered to married couples and families with children. It is only fair that we receive the SAME benefits -- benefits for which we actually PAY MORE for since we TAKE LESS from the system than lower-middle class Christian "working families" (a patronizing term overused by politicians). Again, thank you SJC and the citizens of MA!"

-- Mike S..
Communications Consultant

"I disagree on gay marriages."

-- Gloria F.
Retired

"II think it is fantastic. It is about time we realized the necessity of the institution of marriage in the protection of spousal rights."

-- Michael
Paramedic

"I'm proud to be from the great Commonwealth of Massachusetts, where judges interpret laws in the "common wealth" good of its citizens. I don't get why other heterosexuals feel that it threatens their marriage; it has nothing to do with mine. I'm just glad that we will no longer be discriminating against such a large segment of our citizens."

-- Kathy
Special Education Teacher

"I've been with my partner for over 23 years,have paid the same taxes yet have been denied equal benefits.I look forwar to being legally able to marry.."

-- David J
Retired HHS

"The Massachusetts Democratic party should speak out for gay marriage, and should recall Mitt Romney for trying to amend the fact that all are equal. Bless the MDP and the Supreme Court."

-- Kyle.
(unkown)

"There is no harm whatsoever in two people being joined in marriage despite being of the same gender. I praise the SJC's ruling and hope for official legislation in the near future."

-- Mike A.
Student

"If gays are given the right to marry, I think that polygamists and the polyamorous should also have this right. People should be allowed to marry whomever they choose, and as many people as they choose. We should not put religion or popular opinion ahead of our basic rights!"

-- Dan W.
Engineer

"I fully support it -- it's about time!!!!"

-- Phyllis J.
Paralegal

"Whatever choices a person makes about personal lifestyle should be considered an essential freedom as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else and I don't see that this should be anyone's business but the individuals involved."

-- Anne K.
Student

"Gay folks should be allowed to marry. It is only common decency that we all be treated as equals. I am a firm defender of this. The court was right! This is a basic freedom."

-- Gene M.
Disabled

"I think it is great that the court has decided that gays have a right to marry. I also believe that the idea of civil unions which is separate but equal is by it's very nature unequal. And frankly I do not like the idea of the state telling me who I cannot marry because of our gender. Way to go SJC!"

-- Alex M.
Student

"So-called same sex "marriage" and "civil unions" are a defining issue in our family. My wife and I are registered Democrats, but we will not vote for a candidate who supports civil unions of any type of marriage other than one man and one woman. Personally, it's a moral issue to us. But it is also an economic issue. How are Social Security and other programs supposed to bear up under the load of the additional "spouses" or "partners?" Will decent families have to make up for the tax revenue shortfalls caused by newly claimed "spouses"and "partners?"

-- Dan T.
Hi Tech

"I support gay marriage, not as a gay woman (which I'm not) but as a citizen who understands two things: 1) all taxpayers and citizens should have the same legal and lawful rigts, and 2) there is no place for religion in our laws. Not only do people in this country enjoy freedom of religion, but they should have freedom from anyone's religion and/or religious beliefs as they relate to our constitution - the consitution should not be amended to suit the personal beliefs of individual citizens or groups."

-- Kate S.
Marketing Executive

"As a devout, Christian woman, I am begging our legislative branches not to go forward with allowing same sex couples to marry in the state of Massachusetts. We will no doubt fall under God's condemnation if we allow gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people to get married. Marriage is holy and sacred and homosexuality is not! Race (blacks Americans during the 1950's and 1960's were and still are fighting for equality) has nothing to do with anyone's sexual orientation. I am sick and tired of hearing from homosexuals who use the black struggle for equality in America to promote their gay lifestyle and agenda. No gay couple should be allowed to enter into marriage or a civil union in the U.S.A. God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because of this offensive behavior. Does anyone ever read their Bibles anymore? If Masschusetts becomes the first state to allow gays marriages, we would be showing the international community how morally bankrupt we are as a people, a state and a nation.."

-- Karin A.
Associate Professor of Computer Science

"Three cheers for the SJC. This decision affirms the rights of all people to form a family. It is time that we stop allowing religions organizations to interfere with the rights of our citizens in the name of their own brand of morality."

-- Carol G.
Shiva Facilitator

"Gays and lesbians need more than just benefits and protection - they need recognition by their friends and family that their commitment to the person they love is equally valid under the law and the constitution."

-- Karin A.
Associate Professor of Computer Science

"This decision makes me proud to be from Massachusetts! The SJC has continued our great tradition of being a bastion of equality and social justice. There is no excuse for denying equality before the law to a certain class of citizens based on a trait of birth."

-- Christopher J.
Student

"I have been happily married for almost twenty years. In that time, we have known a number of gay couples, some with adopted children, who have as strong a relationship as we have. Massachusetts should honor their relationship, as it does ours."

-- Larry F.
Real Estate

"I think it is a matter of equal protection under the law as stated in the Constitution of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I stated that back in 1998 when I was a candidate for State Representative, and it is about time the SJC ruled the same way."

-- Wayne W.
Medical Collection Agent

"The day your conscience, ideals, and common sense reach a commonpoint is the day you realize you are a democrat."

-- Brett T.
Student

"I'm only a California resident, but I am outraged by Gov. Romney's decision to try to fight the State Court's decision about homosexual marriage. I think it would be a good idea for you to encourage Massachusetts democrats to make thousands of calls to his office disapproving of this action."

-- Allison W.
California

To submit your own quote, click here
(NOTE: Not all comments reflect the Massachusetts Democratic Party's Platform or its Elected Officials.)