U.S.: Five years later, legalized gay marriage is a success in Mass.
- I was out of work for eight weeks, spent a week in the hospital. That was the first time I really felt thankful for the sense of the security we had, with Rich there, talking with the physicians, helping make decisions. … It really made a difference.
- Gary Chalmers • On how, during a bout with pneumonia, being married to his partner, Richard Linnell, significantly helped him. Chalmers and Linnell were amongst the first married gay couples in Massachusetts, which legalized gay marriage in 2004 via court decision. Despite continued vocal opposition from conservative and church groups, gay marriage has strong political support and the debate has faded into the background. Now, other states have recently legalized it. • source