<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?><rss version="2.0"><channel><title>GAY & LESBIAN LEGAL BRIEFS</title><description>GAY & LESBIAN LEGAL BRIEFS</description><link>http://vaughnmartel.com/lawyer/blog/GAY___LESBIAN_LEGAL_BRIEFS</link><language>en-us</language><lastBuildDate>Tue, 07 Sep 2010 19:32:45 GMT</lastBuildDate><ttl>10</ttl><item><title><![CDATA[Will Mass. Recognize my Out-Of-State Marrage?]]></title><link>http://vaughnmartel.com/lawyer/2008/11/10/General_Legal/Will_Mass._Recognize_my_Out-Of-State_Marrage__bl150.htm</link><description><![CDATA[<p><font size="3"><span id="ctl00_lblContentArea" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 85%;"><strong><u>Question</u>:</strong> I was legally married to my same-sex partner in another state or country. Will Massachusetts recognize my marriage?<br />
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<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 85%;"><strong><u>Answer</u>:</strong> Congratulations, and yes!</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 85%;"> Canada, along with Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, South Africa, Connecticut (and California between June and November 2008) all recognize the right of same-sex couples to be lawfully married. On May 17, 2004, Massachusetts became the first U.S. state to recognize same-sex marriage. Under the Supreme Judicial Court&rsquo;s opinion in <em>Goodridge v. Department of Public Health</em>, Massachusetts must issue marriage licenses to otherwise qualified same-sex couples. The decision also means that Massachusetts must give equal treatment to same-sex couples who obtained a valid marriage license issued by another state or country, including those mentioned above.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 85%;">One important <em>caveat</em> is worth mentioning: due to the federal Defense of Marriage Act, often referred to as DOMA, the United States government may still discriminate against your valid marriage with respect to any of the more than 1,000 federal rights and privileges, including those relating to Social Security benefits, family and medical leave, taxation and spousal gift-giving, and many others.</span></p>
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