Goodridge v. Department of Public Health

 

Short Paper: Goodridge v. Department of Public Health

 

In this Short Paper, you will analyze the case in which the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court held that there is a right to same-sex marriage under the Massachusetts Constitution,Goodridge v. Department of Public Health,

440 Mass. 309

(2003). Go to Westlaw, and click on the “Law” tab. Enter the following citation in the “Find a Document by citation” box and click “Go”:

 440 Mass. 309 

Read this court opinion, then reread the case of Loving v. Virginia. How are the reasoning and rulings in these two case similar? How are they different? How does the concept of familial relationships relate to these two cases? Include the constitutional arguments made in the cases. Based on what you are learning in this unit, do you agree or disagree with the reasoning based on constitutional principles? As part of your analysis, it is fine to quote select portions of the opinion to make your point in answering the questions, but be sure to use quote marks to show the language you are quoting from the case). Explain the answers in your own words and do not simply copy your answers from the case.