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2001-APR-11: Seven gay and lesbian couples in the state launched a lawsuit, attempting to obtain the right to marry. Their case is Goodridge et al v. Department of Public Health.

2003-NOV-19: In a split 4-3 decision, the Supreme Judicial Court ruled that the state constitution allowed same-sex marriage, and that the state had to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples starting on 2004-MAY-17. ₂

2004-JAN: Some state legislators had suggested that the court's ruling was ambiguous. They hoped that a full civil union system, such as is available to same-sex couples in Vermont, might satisfy the minimum requirements of the court's decision. The state Senate asked the court for a ruling.

2004-FEB-06: The state Supreme Judicial Court issued an advisory opinion  in response to the Senate's request. They stated that a parallel system of civil unions would not be constitutional. Vermont-style civil unions will not suffice. This ruling cleared the way for full same-sex marriages starting in 2004-MAY-17.

2004-MAR-29: The Massachusetts legislature approved a proposed constitutional amendment that would deprive same-sex couples the right to marry.  The amendment would also give same-sex couples the right to enter into a civil union and receive the state's approximately 450 benefits. This requires that two constitutional conventions be held to ratify the amendment before it is voted upon by the public.

2004-MAY-17: Same-sex couples were able to purchase marriage licenses starting on this date.

2004-MAY-20: Same-sex couples who reside in the state were able to marry and have their marriages registered, for the first time in U.S. history. Whether out of state couples can also get married depends upon the status of an ancient miscegenation law. It appears that the clerks initially ignored the law.

2004-MAY-23: During this week, a same-sex couple who had been married in Massachusetts returned to their home in Minnesota and filed a lawsuit against the IRS. They want to amend a tax return to reflect their status as "married, filing jointly." This may be the opening gun in the battle to declare the federal and state DOMA laws unconstitutional. ₃

2004-NOV-29: The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal by one citizen and 11 legislators to overturn the state court' decision which legalized SSM.

2005-APR: The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court heard an appeal to reverse its 2003 decision. Their original decision stands.

2005-SEP-14: The Massachusetts legislature votes to defeat a proposed amendment to the state constitution which would ban same-sex marriage, but create civil unions.

2006-MAR-30: The Supreme Judicial Court -- Massachusetts' highest court -- ruled that the state's 1913 miscegenation law is constitutional. The law is being used to prevent out-of-state couples from coming to Massachusetts and marrying there.

2006-MAY-10: A Constitutional Convention (ConCon) is scheduled to begin. One item on the agenda is a petition amendment to take away the right of same-sex couples to marry in the state. Apparently, the constitution of Massachusetts allows any group to have rights stripped away by a simple majority vote of the public.

2006-OCT-06: Massachusetts’ Superior Court Judge Thomas Connolly ruled in favor of granting marriage licenses to same-sex couples who are residents of Rhode Island.

2006-NOV-09: The house and senate voted 109 to 86 to recess the Constitutional Convention, thus preserving marriage equality in the state.

2007-JAN-02: ConCon reconvenes. Senators and representatives vote 62 for and 134 against submitting a Marriage Amendment to a plebiscite. Only 50 were required to move the amendment to the voters.

2007-JUN-14: By an overwhelming vote of 151 to 45, lawmakers in a joint session of the  Massachusetts legislature defeated a proposed constitutional amendment to deny same-sex couples the right to marry. 50 votes were needed to advance the measure by placing it on the 2008 ballot.