Hillary Goodridge was the lead plaintiff in Goodridge v. Department of Public Health, the landmark 2003 legal decision which barred prohibitions against same-sex marriage in Massachusetts and effectively legalized them. The plaintiff, claimant, or complainant is the party initiating a lawsuit, (also known as an action). ... Same-sex marriage (also called gay marriage, marriage equality, and often just marriage by its proponents, and—usually by its opponents—homosexual marriage) refers to a marriage between two individuals of the same gender (for other forms of same-sex unions distinct from marriage, see the articles linked in that... State nickname: Bay State Other U.S. States Capital Boston Largest city Boston Governor Mitt Romney Official languages English Area 27,360 km² (44th)  - Land 20,317 km²  - Water 7,043 km² (25. ...

External links

• Julie and Hillary Goodridge (http://www.glad.org/marriage/Julie&Hillary.shtml)
• Massachusetts Court System - Goodridge v. Department of Public Health (http://www.mass.gov/courts/courtsandjudges/courts/supremejudicialcourt/goodridge.html) decision