Remembering History: 2004 February 4: Supreme Court of Massachusetts issues a clarification of its ruling in Goodridge saying that civil unions are not a sufficient alternative to full same-sex marriage. May 17: Same-sex marriage becomes legal in the US state of Massachusetts after the Legislature failed to take any action in the 180 days period given by the state's Supreme Court. It became the first US state to legalize same-sex marriage.

2004 February 4: Supreme Court of Massachusetts issues a clarification of its ruling in Goodridge saying that civil unions are not a sufficient alternative to full same-sex marriage. May 17: Same-sex marriage becomes legal in the US state of Massachusetts after the Legislature failed to take any action in the 180 days period given by the state's Supreme Court. It became the first US state to legalize same-sex marriage.

2004 February 4: Supreme Court of Massachusetts issues a clarification of its ruling in Goodridge saying that civil unions are not a sufficient alternative to full same-sex marriage. May 17: Same-sex marriage becomes legal in the US state of Massachusetts after the Legislature failed to take any action in the 180 days period given by the state's Supreme Court. It became the first US state to legalize same-sex marriage.