Lambda Legal Issues First-Ever Guidelines for Same-Sex Couples Considering Marriage and Comparing Canada and Massachusetts

(New York, Friday, January 16, 2004) - In a first-of-its-kind publication released today, Lambda Legal offers information to same-sex couples who are considering whether to get married and are deciding where to do it, in Canada or Massachusetts.

“There are a lot of unanswered questions about how or whether these marriages will be honored for couples as they should be,” said David Buckel, Director of Lambda Legal’s Marriage Project “Couples need to weigh the pros and cons heavily and make a choice that is right for them.”

Not only do same-sex couples have the traditional questions about marriage to sort through, such as, “Is this the next step in our relationship? Are we ready for a permanent commitment?” but they also grapple with legal questions that heterosexual couples don’t have to consider.

Lambda Legal’s new publication, “Decisions…Decisions: Deciding Whether to Get Married In Canada or Massachusetts,” poses questions to couples to help them decide, if they want to marry, which option might be best for them. It also provides a list of pros and cons related to obtaining licenses in Canada or Massachusetts. Two Canadian provinces began granting marriage licenses to same-sex couples this summer, while Massachusetts’ highest court ruled in November that the state cannot exclude same-sex couples from marriage and is expected to require issuance marriage licenses to same-sex couples later this year. Lambda Legal is suing the state of New Jersey on behalf of seven same-sex couples seeking marriage licenses.

“In many ways the decision for same-sex couples about whether and where to marry in Canada or Massachusetts may rest on how comfortable they are with uncertainty,” Buckel said.

Lambda Legal also advises couples to weigh marriage for themselves, not as potential lawsuits. If there are instances where marriages have or have not been respected, or for any other legal questions, couples can call Lambda Legal’s Legal Help Desk at 212-809-8585.

Along with today’s guidelines comparing Canada and Massachusetts, Lambda Legal released “We Got Married in Canada, What’s Next? An Action Guide for Newlyweds,” which provides practical tips for same-sex couples who want to get their marriages respected in their workplaces and communities.

“In many ways, this is a whole new world for same-sex couples,” Buckel said. “But at the same time, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people are all too familiar with fighting to have their families treated fairly. While there’s still a lot of ambiguity, these guides provide tips, resources and practical advice for couples.”

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Contact: Lisa Hardaway 212-809-8585 ext. 266; pager: 888-987-1971 Lambda Legal is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgendered people, and people with HIV or AIDS through impact litigation, education and public policy work.