TWO MORE MASS. CITIES ISSUING OUT-OF-STATE SSM LICENSES: From the Contra Costa Times

Two city clerks confirmed Tuesday they are issuing marriage licenses to out-of-state gay couples, even as three other clerks temporarily stopped the practice under pressure from the governor.

The Attleboro clerk said the city solicitor authorized her to issue licenses to gay couples from the 11 states that have not adopted Defense of Marriage Acts that bar same-sex weddings.

The Fall River clerk said that city's law department had made the decision, prior to the legalization of gay marriage in Massachusetts on May 17, that all qualified applicants would be given licenses.

Republican Gov. Mitt Romney has stated that no gay couples from other states can marry in Massachusetts based on a 1913 statute that prohibits unions that would not be legal in a couple's home state.

Democratic Attorney General Thomas Reilly ordered clerks on Monday in Provincetown, Somerville, Springfield and Worcester to cease and desist from issuing marriage licenses to out-of-state couples.

All except Provincetown, a gay tourist mecca on Cape Cod, stopped issuing such licenses while they explore legal options. Provincetown officials met Tuesday night but delayed announcing any decision until Wednesday. [They've decided to stop, by the way. --Eve]

Reilly's office said Tuesday that he would take no action against other cities and towns unless he received referrals from Romney.

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posted by Eve at 2:19 PM | link

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