[induction]

Here it is...
A new law has come into force in Massachusetts, which will allow couples of the same sex to get married.

It is the first American state(Massachusetts) to allow gay weddings, and the issue has divided opinion and politicians across the US.

Earlier this year thousands of homosexual and lesbian couples were married in San Francisco, but the marriages were not legally recognised under Californian law.

Towns and cities across Massachusetts are preparing to process large numbers of applications from gay couples.

Some of the views from this side of the world;
Loads of room for dissection here

The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far...




This is great news. People are trying to see beyond their blinkers at last!
Dr Jeethan Bendoor, Hong Kong

Marriage designed on earth sanctified in heaven! Let the faithful keep marriage and the civil union of same sex partners or non believers come up with a different name for their union.
Lesley, London UK

I think that gay marriage is just as much a basic right as being born into a loving and caring house. Gay's pay aprox. 20 % more tax as couples. We pay for schooling children that we mostly do NOT have, if governments choose not to allow Gay person to marry and have even children then there should be a tax break for this. I got married to my partner and husband in Holland in March 2002 , after I knew that he is the man that I do want to share the rest of my life with.
Matthias Peuser, Arnhem, The Netherlands

No. Marriage is about procreation - gay couple can't procreate. Enough said.
Peter, UK

In response to Peter, marriage isn't about procreation. The office of National Statistics showed that more children were born outside of marriage last year than any other year in this country. Get your facts right! As a single hetero atheist, gay marriages won't directly affect me. Good luck to all lesbians and gays in the US getting hitched - you still have a mountain to climb.
Julie, Newcastle, England

Peter, UK: So if marriage is about procreation, should infertile people be barred from marriage? Of course gay people should be allowed to marry, and let the religious right moan and complain all they want, further showing their intolerance.
Pete, Scotland

Marriage is not just about procreation. So no, Peter, that's not enough said.
Alan Driscoll, Colchester, UK

Get real Peter. Marriage is a unification of two people who love each other dearly and wish to spend the rest of their lives together, regardless of their sex. Hopefully most would adopt and give hope and love to some of the millions of orphans out there. Too many 'straight' marriages just end up in divorce these days as people no longer value its sacredness.
Nick, Edinburgh

Seeing that society is generally "falling into the abyss," it doesn't make any difference one way or the other.
Roger, Swindon England

This issue is not about procreation, it's about giving gay couples the same legal status as opposite sex marriages. I'm not gay but I don't have a problem with that. Live and let live I say. Life's too short.
Bob H, Glasgow, UK

Of course marriage is about children. That's why we don't allow sterile people to marry. Or women who are past the menopause. And that's why marriages are legally dissolved if they haven't resulted in children after a certain time. Oh, wait...
Elizabeth, Oxford, UK

Obviously same-sex marriages should be legal. Those who think they shouldn't be, based on homosexuals' inability to have children: should we ban marriage for infertile couples too?
Leah, London

There is no reason why same-sex couples shouldn't be able to bring friends and family together and declare their commitment to each other. It does not affect anyone else, but will bring happiness to the couples involved. Where is the problem?! Probably same-sex couples will take the sanctity of marriage more seriously than some heterosexual couples seem to!
Justine, Stuttgart, Germany

Judging from some of the comments on here, it would appear that I have the right to sue the government for not informing me that marriage was for having children and passing down property and culture. I was under the impression that it was to make a commitment to my partner. Since I have no children and no property, I'm going home tonight and throwing out my husband, it's obvious I don't need him!
Susan, London

Same sex marriages should not be made legal. Marriage is between a man and a women.
Mai Read-Brown, Glasgow, Scotland

I think that the issue is not about marriage itself, it's more about child adoption. If child adoption by gay couples is not a problem then marriage for gays will be a way to pass property and culture down the generations.
Wendy, France

Your sexual orientation should not affect your ability to marry

Mark Wilkinson, Brighton, UK

Of course. Your sexual orientation should not affect your ability to marry. Marriage in these times is predominantly a civil ceremony rather than a religious one, and although some Christian fundamentalists may disagree, you shouldn't suffer discrimination for choosing to love somebody of the same sex.
Mark Wilkinson, Brighton, UK

These people choose a different lifestyle, but still want the benefits of normal partnerships. If you don't want to be part of the club, don't expect the perks.
James, Dorset, UK

As a straight man, who is married, I see no reason why loving couples should not be entitled to celebrate their union by the contract of marriage. It does not devalue my marriage, the ever increasing divorce rate does that. Gay couples have fought for this right for longer than some marriages last. Does that not show their commitment to each other. It is the fundamental right of a human being to marry the person they love.
Stuart, Hampshire UK

Gay marriage should not be made legal because it is unconstitutional and unethical. This type of relationship can shake our Christian foundation.
Tanyi Ntaka, Buea, Cameroon

I think that gay couples should be able to get married, I think a change in the law both here and in America is long overdue. When you put gay couples on a equal standing with straight couples it will be a big move towards equality and social acceptance.
Cat, Cambridge UK


For the advancement of the human race, of course they should be made legal. And anyone who is opposed to this, what difference to your life does it make if two people of the same sex want to commit to one another? None what-so-ever! """Try actually living a life of acceptance instead of blind, ignorant condemnation for a change."""
Andrew, Bristol, UK

Can anyone give a sane reason not to?
Jone Jones, Brighton, UK

I fail to see the point of a same-sex marriage. The institution of marriage is a way to pass property and culture down the generations. If there are to be no children, why bother with marriage? Why not be "partners" for as long as it suits you, until your lives move on?
Dave Brown, Bishop's Stortford, England

I don't see what harm can come about from letting same-sex marriages be legal. We should just be happy for any two people to show their commitment to love each other through marriage.
Nathan, Bournemouth, UK