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In 2004 Massachusetts became the first state in the union to allow
same-sex couples to marry.
Massachusetts is known as the Bay state because of the several large bays
that give its coastline its distinctive shape: Massachusetts Bay and Cape Cod Bay on the
state's east coast, and Buzzards Bay to the south. Boston is the largest city,
located at the innermost point of Massachusetts Bay, at the mouth of the Charles River,
the longest river entirely within Massachusetts.
The climate of Massachusetts is a classic example of a humid continental climate
with warm summers and cold, snowy winters. With its proximity to the Atlantic
Ocean, Massachusetts receives a generous amount of precipitation throughout the
year, but is slightly wetter during the winter.
Massachusetts enjoys a strong commercial fishery out to the continental shelf. Atlantic
Cod, Haddock and American Lobster are species harvested here. Striped Bass and Bluefish
are the favorites of sport fisherman. Gray Seal have a large nursery near Monomoy Island
and other islands in Nantucket Sound. A large number of the endangered North Atlantic
Right Whale spends the summer on feeding grounds in Cape Cod Bay. Whalewatching is a
very popular summer activity off the coast of Massachusetts. Boats regularly sail to
Stellwagen Bank to view species such as Humpback Whale, Fin Whale, Minke Whale and
Atlantic White-sided Dolphin.
Massachusetts Gay Issues:
Gay Marriage
Marriage for same-sex couples is legal.
Domestic Violence
Has domestic violence laws that are gender neutral and include household
members and dating partners
Sodomy Laws
(Felony) Maximum Penalty: 5 Years & $2,000.00 Fine
Second-Parent Adoption For Gays And Lesbians
Appellate courts have ruled that the state adoption law
permits second-parent adoption
Sexually Oriented Hate Crimes
1989 - Laws banning discrimination based on sexual orientation
State Nondiscrimination Laws
Has hate crime laws that include crimes based in
sexual orientation
Some Massachusetts Cities:
Andover - Bedford - Bellingham - Boston - Cambridge - Cape Cod
Concord - Easthampton - Gloucester - Hudson - Lenox - Lexington
Lincoln - Martha's Vineyard - Mashpee - Medford - Nantucket - Newton
Plymouth - Provincetown - Rockport - Salem - Shrewsbury - Sudbury
Waltham - Westborough - Weston - Westford - Woods Hole - Worcester |
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