Goodridge v. Department of Public Health

Same-sex marriage was first legalized in Massachusetts. This ruling was the result of the court case Goodridge et. al. v. Dept. Public Health. Seven same-sex couples in Massachusetts were not granted marriage licenses and these couples became the plaintiffs in the historic case (“Goodridge v. Department of Public Health Background Information”). Among the plaintiffs were Julie and Hillary Goodridge. Julie and Hillary experienced firsthand the unequal treatment of same-sex couples. When their daughter Anna was born in 1995, Hillary was not allowed to go to the Intensive Care Unit to visit her after Julie’s difficult delivery (Schindehette). This was one of the reasons that motivated them to pursue the fight for equal rights for same-sex couples.

The Goodridge’s and the other plaintiffs were represented by GLAD, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (“Goodridge v. Department of Public Health Background Information.”). GLAD argued that the Constitution guarantees all citizens the right to be treated equally. Denying same-sex couples the right to marry denies them their equal rights to the protections guaranteed to couples and families by marriage (“Goodridge v. Department of Public Health Background Information.”). The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court decided on November 18, 2003 that same-sex couples have the right to marry. The court, which reached the decision 4-3 (“Goodridge et al. v. Dept. Public Health”), stated, “[E]xtending civil marriage to same-sex couples reinforces the importance of marriage to individuals and communities. That same-sex couples are willing to embrace marriage’s solemn obligations of exclusivity, mutual support, and commitment to one another is a testament to the enduring place of marriage in our laws and in the human spirit” (“Goodridge v. Department of Public Health Background Information”).

      After 17 years together, Julie and Hillary Goodridge legally married on May 17, 2004. Their wedding was one of the first and many same-sex marriages that took place following the decision made by the court (Schindehette). 

Photo retrieved from: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/03/julie-hillary-goodridge-t_n_163721.html

Photo retrieved from: http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/THE-BATTLE-OVER-SAME-SEX-MARRIAGE-Divorcing-gay-2469202.php

Works Cited

“Goodridge et al. v. Dept. Public Health.” Glad.org. Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, n.d. Web. 25 Jun. 2012. < http://www.glad.org/work/cases/goodridge-et-al-v-dept-public- health/>

“Goodridge v. Department of Public Health Background Information.” Glad.org. Gay & Lesbian  Advocates & Defenders, n.d. Web. 25 Jun. 2012. <http://www.glad.org/work/cases/goodridge-faq/>

Schindehette, Susan. “Here Come the Brides.” People.com. People, 31 May 2004. Web 25 Jun. 2012. <http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20150204,00.html>