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US couple who led gay marriage fight to divorce
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-02-04 09:34

BOSTON – A lesbian couple who led the fight for gay marriage in Massachusetts has filed for divorce.

Julie and Hillary Goodridge were among seven gay couples who filed a lawsuit that led to a court ruling making Massachusetts the first state to legalize same-sex marriages in 2004. The couple became the public face of the debate in the state and married the first day same-sex marriages became legal.

US couple who led gay marriage fight to divorce<BR>

In this May 17, 2005, file photo, Julie, front left, and Hillary Goodridge pose with other gay couples and supporters as they celebrate their first wedding anniversary in Boston. The couple, who led the legal fight for Massachusetts to become the first state to legalize same-sex marriages, filed for divorce Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009. [Agencies]

The divorce case was filed last week in Suffolk Probate and Family Court and was not unexpected. The couple announced they were separating in 2006.

Messages left for the Goodridges were not immediately returned Tuesday.