Celebrating Love:
The 20th Anniversary of Marriage Equality

At the stroke of midnight on May 17, 2004, history was made as Cambridge City Hall opened its doors to become the very first municipality in the United States to issue marriage licenses to same-gender couples. The air was thick with anticipation, and jubilant celebration filled the front lawn of City Hall as couples gathered to embark upon a momentous journey together.

Step back in time and relive the magic of that historic night through the lens of photographer Marilyn Humphries. Capturing the essence of love, hope, and equality, Humphries’ lens immortalized the raw emotions and joyous celebrations as scores of couples took the courageous step towards legal recognition and acceptance.

Mayor E. Denise Simmons and the Cambridge Museum of History and Culture extend their gratitude to the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority, Boston Properties, Cambridge Arts, Google, the History Project, and MIT for their generous support in bringing this exhibition to life.

Watch Boston 25 New's coverage of the event here!

Click on the images to learn more!

March 22, 2000

Outside of Cambridge City Hall, Jarrett Barrios confronts William Monahan, counsel for the Catholic Action League of Massachusetts, following a press conference held by the mayor, city councilors, and state representatives for Cambridge districts where they voted to fight a lawsuit challenging an ordinance that recognized domestic partnership for gay couples.

Image and description courtesy of Marilyn Humphries Photography

November 18, 2003

Julie Goodridge and Hillary Goodridge read the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s decision that under the Massachusetts Constitution, the state could not deny marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

Image and description courtesy of Marilyn Humphries Photography

November 18, 2003

Plaintiff couple Gina Smith and Heidi Norton clasp hands at the GLAD press conference following the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s decision.

Image and description courtesy of Marilyn Humphries Photography

November 18, 2003

Cambridge City Councilor Denise Simmons, with her granddaughter Tara Knight, speaks at the Rally for Family and Equality at Old South Meeting House hours after the court’s decision.

Image and description courtesy of Marilyn Humphries Photography

February 11, 2004

On the first day of the constitutional convention—a joint session of the legislature called to consider amending the state constitution—supporters of same-sex marriage gather at the State House to oppose any amendment that would define marriage as “the union of one man and one woman.”

Image and description courtesy of Marilyn Humphries Photography

February 11, 2004

Opponents of same-sex marriage—many of whom were bussed in from out of state—gather outside the State House to deliver their message.

Image and description courtesy of Marilyn Humphries Photography

February 12, 2004

Marriage equality supporters Alex Westerhoff and Tom Lang alongside a heterosexual couple voicing their support in the State House during the second meeting of the constitutional convention. They stayed for 12 hours, hoping to convince legislators that they should not amend the constitution to take away their right to marry.

Image and description courtesy of Marilyn Humphries Photography

March 10, 2004

GLAD attorney Mary Bonauto addresses the crowd at the MassEquality candlelight vigil as Rep. Byron Rushing, a longtime supporter of the gay community and a leader on the same-sex marriage issue, stands next to her.

Image and description courtesy of Marilyn Humphries Photography

March 11, 2004

On the morning that the 2004 constitutional convention reconvenes, opponents to same-sex marriage unfurl a 40-foot fluorescent orange banner proclaiming “Jesus is the Lord” across the front of the State House.

Image and description courtesy of Marilyn Humphries Photography

March 25, 2004

Pam Johnson of the MASS Black LGBT Alliance holds “Marriage Is a Civil Rights Issue,” a document that the organization gave to all state legislators asking for their support in preserving marriage equality. Surrounding Johnson are (L-R): Douglas Brooks, Judah Dorrington, Jacquie Bishop, Letta Neely, and Gary Daffin.

Image and description courtesy of Marilyn Humphries Photography

March 28, 2004

The day before the constitutional convention reconvened for a final vote on an amendment to the constitution, the Religious Coalition for Marriage held an interfaith celebration endorsing same-sex marriage at Boston’s Old South Church. Rabbi Ronne Friedman, Senior Rabbi at Boston’s Temple Israel, speaks at the podium.

Image and description courtesy of Marilyn Humphries Photography

March 29, 2004

During the final day of the constitutional convention, openly gay legislators Sen. Jarrett Barrios (far left) and Rep. Liz Malia (center) confer in the State House hallway with a colleague as members of the media look on.

Image and description courtesy of Marilyn Humphries Photography

March 29, 2004

Sen. Diane Wilkerson, a marriage equality supporter, acknowledges the crowd's cheer of thanks following the passage of the “separate but equal” compromise amendment that would create civil unions for same-sex couples.

Image and description courtesy of Marilyn Humphries Photography

March 29, 2004

Legislators who voted against the anti-gay marriage amendment gather in Nurses Hall to address same-sex marriage supporters and reiterate their commitment to defeating the “separate but equal” compromise in the next legislative session. In the foreground is Rep. Marie St. Fleur, with Rep. Shaun Kelly and Rep. Liz Malia directly behind her. In the crowd behind them are (L-R): Rep. Byron Rushing, Rep. Mike Festa, and MGLPC lobbyist Bill Conley.

Image and description courtesy of Marilyn Humphries Photography

May 16, 2004

TV satellite trucks gather on a side street next to Cambridge City Hall ahead of the celebrations marking the midnight opening of applications for marriage licenses from same-sex couples.

Image courtesy of City of Cambridge photographers.

May 17, 2004

After the midnight opening of applications for marriage licenses, City Clerk Margaret Drury marries Keith Maynard and Chip McLaughlin who became the first Cambridge same-sex couple to be legally married in the U.S.

Image courtesy of City of Cambridge photographers.

May 17, 2004

A couple swears to the truth of their marriage application before a Cambridge city clerk in Cambridge City Hall.

Image and description courtesy of Marilyn Humphries Photography

May 17, 2004. City Councilor Denise Simmons registers her marriage at Cambridge City Hall.

Image courtesy of City of Cambridge photographers

May 17, 2004. City Councilor Denise Simmons celebrates with family in Cambridge City Hall.

Image courtesy of City of Cambridge photographers

May 17, 2004

A couple jubilantly descends the steps outside Cambridge City Hall to the applause of crowds of supporters and reporters.

Image and description courtesy of Marilyn Humphries Photography

May 17, 2004

Another couple descends Cambridge City Hall’s steps to the cheers of the crowd—which had grown to 1,000 by midnight. The lawn and street in front of City Hall were abuzz in celebration until the wee hours of the morning.

Image and description courtesy of Marilyn Humphries Photography

May 17, 2004

A couple embraces outside of Cambridge City Hall among the crowd gathered to celebrate the historic moment of legal marriage for same sex couples.

Image and description courtesy of Marilyn Humphries Photography

May 17, 2004

Elaine DeRosa and Bonnie Johnston embrace and smile in Cambridge City Hall.

Image courtesy of City of Cambridge photographers

May 17, 2004

Julie and Hillary Goodridge, accompanied by their daughter, Annie, register to marry at Boston City Hall. As the named plaintiffs in the landmark case, Goodridge v. Department of Public Health, the couple received the first same-sex marriage license in Boston.

Image and description courtesy of Marilyn Humphries Photography

May 17, 2004

Goodridge plaintiffs Dave Wilson and Rob Compton look on as the Reverend Kim Crawford Harvie signs their marriage license at the Unitarian Universalist Arlington Street Church.

Image and description courtesy of Marilyn Humphries Photography

Celebrating Love:
The 20th Anniversary of Marriage Equality

Click on the images to learn more!

Interested in learning more about the Cambridge Museum of History and Culture?

Read about our mission, explore past events, and view upcoming projects

Celebrating Love: The 20th Anniversary of Marriage Equality

Click on the images to learn more!

Interested in learning more about the Cambridge Museum of History and Culture?

Read about our mission, explore past events, and view upcoming projects

Celebrating Love:
The 20th Anniversary of Marriage Equality