Mass. Court Hears Argument of Pro-family Groups to Stop Issuance of Gay Marriage Licenses

May 12, 2004 10:51 AM EDT

BOSTON, MA – Law firms that advocate religious freedom are urgently taking action to stop the issuance of marriage licenses to gay couples in Massachusetts.

Today, District Judge Joseph Tauro will hear Liberty Counsel's request to prevent the issuance of same-sex marriage licenses. Mathew Staver, President and General Counsel of Liberty Counsel, will argue the case.

Yesterday, a group of 11 Massachusetts senators and representatives joined as plaintiffs in the lawsuit, which Liberty Counsel filed Monday.

Stayer accused the judicial branch for overpowering since the other two defendants under the executive branch, the Department of Public Health and its commissioner, “take no position on the plaintiffs.”

According to Stayer, the Massachusetts Attorney General indicated that his opposition to sanctioning gay marriage ban was made solely on behalf of the Supreme Judicial Court Justices.

Mat Staver, President and General Counsel of Liberty Counsel, commented, "The fact that we have legislators opposing same-sex marriage on our side and the executive branch's consent to our motion underscores the problem in this case. Clearly, the judiciary has usurped the power of the other two branches of government."