Why did Massachusetts begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples in 2004?

Massachusetts began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples in 2004 following a landmark ruling by the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts.

In its November 2003 decision, the court held in a 4-3 ruling that barring individuals from the protections, benefits, and obligations of civil marriage solely because they wished to marry a person of the same sex violated the Massachusetts Constitution. The court emphasized that marriage is a vital social institution that nurtures love, mutual support, and societal stability.1

The court provided the state with a six-month window to comply with its order to remedy the discriminatory practice. Consequently, the state began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples in May 2004, making Massachusetts the first U.S. state to legalize same-sex marriage.234