Julie, Hillary Goodridge To Divorce, Couple Led Gay Marriage Fight In Massachusetts

BOSTON — A lesbian couple who led the fight for gay marriage in Massachusetts has filed for divorce. Julie and Hillary Goodridge were among seven gay couples who filed a lawsuit that led to a court ruling making Massachusetts the first state to legalize same-sex marriages in 2004. The couple became the public face of the debate in the state and married the first day same-sex marriages became legal.

The divorce case was filed last week in Suffolk Probate and Family Court and was not unexpected. The couple announced they were separating in 2006.

Messages left for the Goodridges were not immediately returned Tuesday.

Comments

[rbarry647]

So sorry to hear, thank you for putting up the good fight for equality.

[wtheman]

Ah, DIVORCE. Now that truly is the American way.

[Pie7]

I guess this change the message for the same-sex marriage argument.

[erinker]

Not really, no.

[LauraD]

How?

The same-sex marriage argument is one of not denying basic civil rights to human beings. Why would a couple getting divorced change that reality?

[ilovevegas]

And so it begins

[C0Y0TE2]

can i post?

[sssteverrr]

Yes,

With marriage comes responsibilities and they will fulfill them just like you and I. Divorce is always difficult and I am sorry it did not wok out for them and congratulate them for helping bring equal rights to all Americans.

[ohioan73]

Not "good" that they got divorced but "good" for the normalization of the collective image of gay people. They live, breathe, get married, fall out of love and get divorced, just like everyone else. They should have the right to do so without any restrictions.

[luvobama]

nicely stated.

[SonofLiberty1]

Very interesting, very interesting...
I wonder why?

[LauraD]

People get divorced all the time, but I don't recall ever hearing strangers asking why.

[jade7243]

Song for the Divorce Party? Revised Katy Perry:

"I kissed a girl. I didn't like it."

[itmaybetoolate]

No, "I kissed a girl. I decided I didn't like her."

[StellaRay]

The right to get married and the right to divorce are inseperable. Gay people do not have to proove they're better at marriage than heterosexuals to earn their civil rights.

[AdamX]

Rights are not "earned". Priveleges are.

[StellaRay]

You are correct AdamX. I ammend my statement to----Gay people do not have to proove they're better at marriage than heterosexuals to claim their civil rights.

[BandsofBlack]

Exactly.

[spiritpony1]

True, but they could shut up whining---

[itmaybetoolate]

You are so right! if only those gays and lesbians would understand their place! Why do they have to keep talking about their second class citizenship? Can't they just get over it and learn to live with the discrimination?

[luvobama]

Who's whining? I do not consider asking for my civil rights to be whining.

[tr24]

co-sign

[LauraD]

I guess that Martin Luther King, Malcom X, Susan B. Anthony were all whiners, too, then, huh?

[erinker]

VERY well stated.

[IndyReader]

Not even 4 full years ladies? What a shame. Maybe marriage therapy would help.

[thaneb]

Not such a good reader, eh. They have been together for twenty years and have a 10-year-old child.

[IndyReader]

I don't care if they've been "together" 20 years, they've been "married", what those Prop 8 people are jumping up and down about, for less than 4. So, what is different?