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Should Gays and Lesbians be Allowed to Marry?
Aired July 14, 2003 - 06:51 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Should gays and lesbians be allowed to marry? That's the issue before the Supreme Court of Massachusetts and a ruling is expected later this morning.
Our Deborah Feyerick joins us live from Boston with the latest -- good morning, Deborah.
DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
Well, usually the Supreme Court here takes 130 days to make a decision. Today is day 130 and that's why we're expecting this to come down. Massachusetts does ban same sex marriages. The question is, is that constitutional? Seven couples sued the state saying they're guaranteed equal protection under the Massachusetts constitution. That document says that equality under the law should not be denied or abridged because of sex, race, color, creed or national origin.
Now, Massachusetts' highest court today has three decisions. Either they can reject the claim, they can say same sex marriage does not, or banning it, does not amount to discrimination. They can also say that this is an issue for the legislature to decide, this is not a matter for the courts, but for law makers. The third choice is, they could say yes, same sex marriage is legal and valid under the law.
Now, if that happens, it would entitle gay couples to the exact same benefits entitled to anyone who gets married. That means the decision to make medical choices or inheritance or tax, all those things. So there's a lot at stake.
Now, opponents argue that if it does happen, this is going to create chaos throughout all different states. Those states are not obligated to recognize any union that is done here. Also, churches, synagogues, mosques, they would not be compelled to have to perform these ceremonies if the court rules that same sex marriage is legal.
Now, a poll here, a recent poll in Massachusetts found that some 50 percent of all the people who live here favor gay marriage. But opponents say if this passes, they're going to take it all the way to the Supreme Court -- Carol.
COSTELLO: It'll be an interesting day in Massachusetts today.
Deborah Feyerick, many thanks.
I know you'll be there all day.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired July 14, 2003 - 06:51 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Should gays and lesbians be allowed to marry? That's the issue before the Supreme Court of Massachusetts and a ruling is expected later this morning.
Our Deborah Feyerick joins us live from Boston with the latest -- good morning, Deborah.
DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
Well, usually the Supreme Court here takes 130 days to make a decision. Today is day 130 and that's why we're expecting this to come down. Massachusetts does ban same sex marriages. The question is, is that constitutional? Seven couples sued the state saying they're guaranteed equal protection under the Massachusetts constitution. That document says that equality under the law should not be denied or abridged because of sex, race, color, creed or national origin.
Now, Massachusetts' highest court today has three decisions. Either they can reject the claim, they can say same sex marriage does not, or banning it, does not amount to discrimination. They can also say that this is an issue for the legislature to decide, this is not a matter for the courts, but for law makers. The third choice is, they could say yes, same sex marriage is legal and valid under the law.
Now, if that happens, it would entitle gay couples to the exact same benefits entitled to anyone who gets married. That means the decision to make medical choices or inheritance or tax, all those things. So there's a lot at stake.
Now, opponents argue that if it does happen, this is going to create chaos throughout all different states. Those states are not obligated to recognize any union that is done here. Also, churches, synagogues, mosques, they would not be compelled to have to perform these ceremonies if the court rules that same sex marriage is legal.
Now, a poll here, a recent poll in Massachusetts found that some 50 percent of all the people who live here favor gay marriage. But opponents say if this passes, they're going to take it all the way to the Supreme Court -- Carol.
COSTELLO: It'll be an interesting day in Massachusetts today.
Deborah Feyerick, many thanks.
I know you'll be there all day.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
