Goodridge v. Dept. of Public Health

Goodridge v. Dept. of Publ. Health
Docket #2001-1647A, Suffolk County Super. Ct. (Mass.)

On April 11, 2001, GLAD filed suit in Suffolk County Superior Court on behalf of seven same-sex couples seeking marriage licenses. The lawsuit names the Massachusetts Department of Public Health as defendant and seeks to invalidate Massachusetts marriage laws, alleging that they violate numerous provisions of the Massachusetts Constitution’s Declaration of Rights.

Suffolk County Superior Court Judge Thomas Connolly granted the Attorney General's motion for summary judgment on May 8, 2002, dismissing the lawsuit. Read trial decision (PDF - 941kb).
Read MLP press release

On December 20, 2002, over 75 individuals and organizations joined to file 15 amicus curiae briefs in support of the Massachusetts marriage laws. Eleven briefs were filed in support of the plaintiffs in the case.

Oral arguments were held on March 4, 2003. Under an informal court rule, the court attempts to issue opinions within 130 days of oral argument, leading court observers to expect an opinion by July 14, 2003.

The decision was finally rendered on November 18, 2003, when a 4-3 majority of the court held the marriage laws to violate constitutional guarantees of liberty and equal protection.

Case Materials
Supreme Judicial Court opinion.
View case materials and summaries of amicus briefs.