Lesbians split after leading 'marriage' fight

From left to right: Julie, Annie and Hillary Goodridge (photo: Harvard University Gazette)

A lesbian couple who fought for the legalization of same-sex unions in Massachusetts has filed for divorce after four years of "marriage."

The relationship between international "gay" icons Hillary and Julie Goodridge lasted exactly half the duration of average straight marriages that end in divorce.

The lesbian pair shares custody of Annie, 12, according to the Boston Herald.

Hillary's mother, Ann Kiernan Smith, 82, said she had hoped the duo would have a happy, long-lasting relationship after their triumph over adversity.

"I wish I could talk them into staying together, but I don't see how. They had a great thing going. I love Julie, and I always will," she told the Herald. "I guess because Julie and Hillary made headlines, people will pick on it."

However, a 2006 Boston Globe report revealed that the two lesbians confirmed their separation after only two years and "amicably lived apart." They filed for divorce Thursday.

A state Supreme Court Judicial Court declared Massachusetts the first state in the U.S. to recognize same-sex "marriage" in 2003 after the Goodridges filed a lawsuit.

The couple wed on May 17, 2004, the first day same-sex unions became legal in Massachusetts.

One person close to Hillary, 52, told the Herald the lesbian reveled in the fame associated with being a ground-breaking "gay" activist. But the source also said Julie, 51, generally kept to herself.

(Story continues below)

Kris Mineau, president of the Massachusetts Family Institute, a public policy group that fought to repeal the legalization of "gay" unions, said their separation is confusing.

"Divorce is a very painful issue, but I also can't help but reflect on the pain this couple has caused on the commonwealth and the nation to redefine marriage. And now they're getting divorced? It doesn't make a lot of sense," Mineau said.

"Obviously, they don't hold the institution in very high esteem."

A similar scenario took place in California after its Supreme Court struck down the state's ban on same-sex marriage on May 15, 2008.

Theresa Ramirez and Adelita Guajardo of Fresno County, Calif., "married" the following month.

However, they filed for divorce only three days later, citing "irreconcilable differences." Norm Fletcher, a local lawyer, told Santa Barbara News Press that the couple may have split up because they were no longer fighting for a common cause.

"In a way, gays and lesbians had a common enemy in the form of the state and society. People who have common enemies tend to stick together." But once they are able to "marry," he said, "It's no longer you and me against the world – it's you and me against each other."

Boston divorce attorney Gerald Nissenbaum told the Boston Herald that the Goodridge lesbians may have also lost their spark after they won their battle in the courts.

"Whenever there's a cause that keeps people together, once the cause is over, in my experience, there's a high rate of dissolution of the relationship," he said. "It's sad, but it's real."

He added, "And what a surprise: Gay people are like everyone else."

---

Related offers:

"The Marketing of Evil: How Radicals, Elitists, and Pseudo-Experts Sell Us Corruption Disguised as Freedom"

"The Gay Agenda: It's Dividing the Family, the Church, and a Nation"

"Betrayed by the Bench"

---

Previous stories:

Lesbians in fight with Christian church

Lesbians, condoms go wild in attack on Christian church

Watch church lady meet same-sex 'marriage' protesters

Same-sex marriage rowdies single out Mormons

'Gay' marriage ad slams LDS church

'Bride,' 'groom' can't marry in California

College students condemn 'gay' marriage

Challenge to 'gay marriage' expansion launched

Lawmakers' work thwarting voters

Same-sex marriage gets bigger in Mass.

Massachusetts to expand same-sex weddings

County surrenders in same-sex marriage war

Legislator: Law allows banishment of Bible

'Religion in private' OK, declares ACLU

Criminal crackdown targeting Christians

Biblical message now criminalized

Homosexual activists: Don't sue over marriage – now

Same-sex marriages begin in 'land of fruits, nuts'

Follow constitution, 'same-sex marriage' judges told

County clerk cancels civil wedding services

It's voters vs. black robes in November

City clerk suing not to wed 'gays'

County clerks urged to ignore same-sex marriage ruling

'Gay' marriage ruling to spark lawsuits nationwide

Whoa! Marriage laws aren't changed – yet

Supremes asked to give voters a chance

City clerk suing not to wed 'gays'

California battle over same-sex marriage not over

Black robes trash traditional marriage

California's 'judicial fiat' condemned – by judge

Plan pushes for last step in eliminating marriage

Court asked to protect 1-man, 1-woman marriage

Pro-marriage groups: 'Don't trust courts!'

Gov. Arnold 'terminates' man-and-woman marriage plan

Gov. Arnold says 'marriage' can be terminated

California handing out marriage privileges

'Marriage' to become museum piece

Homosexual marriage minces west to California

Court will decide if California voters were right