[JURIST] The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts [official website], heard oral arguments Thursday on the issue of whether same-sex couples from out-of-state can marry in Massachusetts, the first state to legalize same-sex marriage [JURIST news archive]. The court is deciding whether a 1913 law [text], which prohibits out-of-state couples from marrying in Massachusetts if their home states do not recognize the union, comports with the Massachusetts constitution [text]. The 1913 law, rarely invoked until the high court ruled same-sex marriages legal [decision, PDF], has been used by Governor Mitt Romney to deny gay couples from nearby states marriage licenses. AP has more. The Boston Globe has local coverage.

Previously in JURIST's Paper Chase...

• Massachusetts Supreme Court to hear gay marriage challenge
• Mass. judge refuses to block law barring marriage of out-of-state couples
• Massachusetts state law limiting out-of-state marriages challenged