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Couple who led gay marriage fight to divorce

A lesbian couple who led the fight for gay marriage in Massachusetts have filed for divorce. Julie and Hillary Goodridge were among seven couples who filed a lawsuit that led to  the state legalizing same-sex marriages in 2004.
Gay Marriage Divorce
Julie, front left, and Hillary Goodridge pose with other gay couples and supporters as they celebrate their first wedding anniversary in Boston in May 2005. The couple have since filed for divorce. Elise Amendola / AP
/ Source: The Associated Press

A lesbian couple who led the fight for gay marriage in Massachusetts have 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.

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.