By now most of you know that gay and lesbian couples can now legally marry in the state of California (see our page on Gay Wedding Venues at our California Wedding blog).  For over a month now, Gay and lesbian couples have been flocking to California from all over the United States to marry.  Why?  Doesn't Massachusetts allow same-sex marriage?  Yes, but, while Massachusetts allows same-sex marriage for its residents, California has been the only state to allow gay and lesbian couples from all states to share in the marriage privilege. 

That is, until now.

Late July, 2008, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed a law repealing the 95-year statute that prevented gay and lesbian couples from most states from legally getting married in Massachusetts.  To that, we again say "it's about time!"

Why was there such a law in the first place? It was originally put on the books almost a century ago to prevent interracial couples from crossing the border to get married in Massachusetts. It stated that couples couldn't get married in Massachusetts if their home states didn't recognize their marriage.

You see, when the law was enacted, 30 of the then-48 states wouldn't allow interracial couples to legally say "I Do," much like the majority of states today won't allow gay couples now to legally marry.

It seems, though, that the law was never taken off the books, even after gay couples were allowed to legally marry in Massachusetts in 2004. Therefore, when gay couples wanted to get married in Massachusetts, they had to be residents, or hail from a state which allowed same-sex marriage.

But, not anymore! Thanks to Gov. Patrick and the state House and Senate, now gays and lesbians from all states can legally wed in Massachusetts, giving couples in the mid-western and eastern United States a closer venue for their wedding.