Massachusetts does not recognise a religious marriage ceremony performed without benefit of a state-issued marriage licence.

ECONOMIST: Gay marriage, debated

First, couples have to prove that their marriage licence is not valid or that one person is, in legal terms at least, psychologically incapacitated.

BBC: Philippines eyes easier marriage annulment

Even granting that the case of homosexuals is more complex than the case of miscegenation, the state should presume against discriminating especially when handing out something as important as a marriage licence.

ECONOMIST: Gay marriage