History was made yesterday as Massachusetts becomes the first state in the nation to allow gays to legally wed.
It was a busy day for Pittsfield City Clerk Jody Phillips, who said half a dozen couples had arrived at her office by noon, five female and one male couple.
Another 5 couples arrived at the City Clerk’s office later in the day to get their marriage licenses.
None of the couples asked for a waiver to bypass the three-day waiting period so they could get married immediately.
By Larry Kratka, WUPE Radio News – May, 18 2004
This report was compiled by WUHN/WUPE Radio, Pittsfield
Analysis:
In what is being called a “landmark decision”, the liberal Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that marriage laws in the state could not discriminate against same sex couples.
Thus, homosexual men and lesbians are now able to obtain a marriage license, and will be recognized by the state as legally married.
While there are appeals to be made, we have no doubt that the sanctity of the God ordained institution of marriage and the home will continue to come under attack by the immoral in our society. These are those who “knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them” (Romans 1:32).
Though men may determine to redefine marriage to include unions between individuals of the same sex, that does not change the fact that God ordained marriage to be between a man and a woman, as a lifetime commitment to one another. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24).
Though men may claim that homosexuality is a legitimate “alternate lifestyle” it does not change the fact that God declared such sexual activity as sin. “If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them” (Leviticus 20:13).
In reality nothing has changed. It is simply men calling “evil good, and good evil. Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20). As Isaiah wrote, “Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight” (vs. 21).
