The Massachusetts
senate has voted to repeal a 1913 law used to bar
out-of-state gay couples from marrying in the state.
The law prohibits
couples from obtaining marriage licenses in
Massachusetts if they can't legally wed in their home
states.
After
Massachusetts became the first state to allow gay marriages
in 2004, then-governor Mitt Romney ordered town clerks
to enforce the little-known law and deny licenses to
out-of-state couples.
The repeal effort
has the support of Gov. Deval Patrick, whose
18-year-old daughter announced last month she is a lesbian.
The Massachusetts
senate voted Tuesday to repeal the law. The house is
expected to vote this week.
An analysis found
repealing the law could draw thousands of couples to
Massachusetts, boosting the economy by $111 million over
three years. (AP)
