Legal Opinion
Goodridge v. Department of Public Health
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Decided November 18, 2003PublishedCited by 146 opinions
1Opinion of the CourtMarshall, C.J.
Marriage is a vital social institution. The exclusive commitment of two individuals to each other nurtures love and mutual support; it brings stability to our society. For those who choose to marry, and for their children, marriage provides an abundance of legal, financial, and social benefits. In return it imposes weighty legal, financial, and social obligations. The question before us is whether, consistent with the Massachusetts Constitution, the Commonwealth may deny the protections, benefits, and obligations conferred by civil marriage to two individuals of the same sex who wish to…
2Cases cited105 opinions
- City of Cleburne v. Cleburne Living Center, Inc.Supreme Court of the United States · 1985
- Turner v. SafleySupreme Court of the United States · 1987
- Roe v. WadeSupreme Court of the United States · 1973
- Griswold v. ConnecticutSupreme Court of the United States · 1965
- Brown v. Board of EducationSupreme Court of the United States · 1954
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3Cited by146 opinions
- Obergefell v. HodgesSupreme Court of the United States · 2015
- United States v. WindsorSupreme Court of the United States · 2013
- Lofton v. Secretary of the Department of Children & Family ServicesCourt of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit · 2004
- Parker v. Town of LexingtonCourt of Appeals for the First Circuit · 2008
- Diatchenko v. District Attorney for the Suffolk DistrictMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 2013
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