misstyrios

In a few hours, I will sit down to take my Property final, kicking off the beginning of the end of my first year of law school. But today has so much more significance - all across this state of Massachusetts today, same sex couples can receive 100% valid and legal marriage licenses. This is the first time in the country that this is happening - these aren't renegade licences granted by defiant city clerks, these are fully state-sanctioned, constitutional, valid marraige licenses. On the 50th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education decision, which struck down the racially segregationist "separate but equal" doctrine in schools and public facilities, these licenses take on even greater symbolic meaning within the larger civil rights battle in this country. I don't think I could possibly be prouder of my home state than I am right now. Same sex couples will be able to walk into the clerk's office and walk out with their relationship, committment, and family afforded exactly the same equal rights, benefits, and protections as all other couples who choose to marry. It is this thought that causes something in my heart to surge - it is this thought that reminds me that there is more to the law and more to life than final exams and everday stresses. Today is a day to celebrate love and to celebrate equality. Take a minute and tell someone that you love them. Take a minute and think about how far we've come and how far we still have to go.