BOSTON, Massachusetts — In an important decision issued today, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled unanimously that Massachusetts must recognize other states’ parallel spousal statuses for same-sex couples, such as California registered domestic partnerships. Under the ruling, both spouses are the legal parents to children born into such unions.

The decision, written by Chief Justice Roderick Ireland, states, “Under Massachusetts law, children born into a legal spousal relationship are presumed to be the children of both spouses.” Moreover, “any child born as a result of artificial insemination with spousal consent is considered to be the child of the consenting spouse.” (More)