Gay Marriage and Incest
September 3rd, 2009Since Vermont recently allowed same-sex couples to marry, I thought I’d post about a weird quirk in Massachusetts marriage laws that I had been wondering about for a while.
Chapter 207, Section 1 prohibits a man from marrying certain relatives. Chapter 207, Section 2 prohibits a woman from marrying certain of her relatives. These laws basically outlines the prohibition against incest, marrying within certain consanguinity or affinity.
However, if you notice, it prohibits a man from marrying only female family of certain consanguinity. It also prohibits women from marrying only male family of certain consanguinity. So does that mean a gay man can legally marry his nephew or grandson? Or a lesbian woman can marry her niece or granddaughter?
Maybe I’m missing something and if I am, please comment and enlighten me. I’m also not saying I found a loophole. Please don’t go off marrying your grandchildren. I will not be held responsible.