Goodridge v. Department of Public Health
Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts
798 N.E.2d 941 (2003)
Relevant factsFree
Seven same-sex couples (plaintiffs) sued the Department of Public Health (defendant) after being denied marriage licenses, seeking to marry both to publicly affirm their relationships and to access marriage's legal benefits. The Department defended the exclusion by arguing marriage's principal purpose is procreation, that opposite-sex marriage provides the best child-rearing environment, and that barring same-sex marriage conserved state and private resources; the trial court ruled for the Department.
IssueFree
Whether Massachusetts may bar same-sex couples from civil marriage.
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