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Today in History: Massachusetts Supreme Court legalizes same-sex marriage

11/18/2025

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Summary

Story summary

On November 18, 2003, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled in Goodridge v. Department of Public Health that the state's constitution mandates the legal recognition of same-sex marriage. This landmark decision marked Massachusetts as the first U.S. state to grant marriage rights to same-sex couples, leading to the issuance of marriage licenses on May 17, 2004.

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Story summary

On November 18, 2003, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled in Goodridge v. Department of Public Health that the state's constitution mandates the legal recognition of same-sex marriage. This landmark decision marked Massachusetts as the first U.S. state to grant marriage rights to same-sex couples, leading to the issuance of marriage licenses on May 17, 2004.