Can I ask a dumb question about gay marriage in Massachussets?

[kiahzero]

Now, the court ruled that it was unconstitutional to disallow same sex marriage. The state is responding by trying to amend the constitution. Unless that happens, the court's ruling stands, right?

So why can't people go ahead and get married in Massachussets now?

[WillyBrandt]

1. The court gave the legislature until May

I think it was May. Unless the legislature acts, either in terms of statuatory law to allow gay marriage, or in terms of amending the Constitution to prohibit it (along, perhaps, with bringing in civil unions), then after the deadline, lower courts could force civil authorities to give marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

[kiahzero]

3. Does it count if they've started?

They're going to try and act on Thursday, but amending the Constitution takes some serious time up there (thank God).

[dsc]

4. The amendmend would retroactively strip those couples of marriage

but they would be married until the amendment was passed.

[CalebHayes]

2. In may, yes to my knowledge