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Statement by Metropolitan Community Churches On The Occasion Of The 
Massachusetts Supreme Court Decision To Legalize Same-Sex Marriage

A Message From Rev. Troy D. Perry
MCC Founder and Moderator

18 November 2003  
Today, gays and lesbians took another historic step forward in the march for 
equality as the Supreme Court of Massachusetts ruled 4-3 that same-sex
couples 
are legally entitled to marry under the state constitution.

In its decision, the Court stated, "The state has no reason to ban same-sex 
marriage."

Unlike the Canadian marriage court decision which was immediately 
implemented, the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruling ordered the state
Legislature to come 
up with a solution within 180 days. The decision stopped short of allowing 
marriage licenses to be issued to the couples who challenged the law.

In July of this year in Toronto, Canada, I legally wed my partner of 18 
years, Phillip Ray DeBlieck. During our wedding, I told the press I believed
that 
at least one state in the United States would rule in favor of same-sex 
marriage within five years. I had no idea this would happen within five
months.

I salute community leaders and activists in Massachusetts who have worked 
tirelessly to bring equality to that state's marriage laws. I am especially 
pleased to recognize MCC clergyperson Rev. Joan Saniuk, whose work on behalf
of 
marriage equality has made a profound difference in that state.

Our work is not done, and this victory is not final. There is already a 
strong movement in the Massachusetts Legislature to circumvent this court
ruling 
with an anti-gay amendment to the state constitution.

History will view today's decision in Goodridge et al. vs. Department of 
Public Health as one of the most significant steps in our ongoing struggle
for 
GLBT equality under the law.

Metropolitan Community Churches, which performs more than 6000 same-sex 
weddings each year, celebrates today's decision and reaffirms its work to
assure 
that equality under the law is provided to all citizens. 

/signed/

Rev. Troy D. Perry
MCC Founder and Moderator

(END)

For Additional Information, Contact:
Jim Birkitt, Director of Communications
or
Roman Cardenas, Associate Director of Communications
Metropolitan Community Churches
8704 Santa Monica Boulevard, 2nd Floor
West Hollywood, CA  90069
Tel. 310-360-8640, Ext. 226 or 228
Cell 310-625-4138
E-Mail: info@MCCchurch.org