Massachusetts AG optimistic court to OK gay marriage rights

By Steve LeBlanc, Associated Press

BOSTON (AP) - Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey says she's cautiously optimistic the Supreme Court will rule in favor of gay marriage.

Healey was in the courtroom Tuesday when the nation's highest court heard oral arguments in four states' same-sex marriage cases.

By the end of June the justices are expected to rule whether such marriages - now allowed in 36 states and the District of Columbia- should be recognized nationwide.

Massachusetts has allowed gay marriages since 2004. It was the first state to legalize the same-sex unions.

Massachusetts, joined by 15 other states and Washington D.C., submitted a brief arguing in favor of gay marriage rights.

Healey, the nation's first openly gay attorney general, helped lead the fight against the federal Defense of Marriage Act before being elected attorney general last year.

Cox Media Group