Elf Sternberg

While state courts are bound to their own precedents and constitutions, that doesn't mean that they can't cite the legal reasoning of other courts when faced with similar issues. The SJC, for instance, chose to discuss as appropriate precedent the recent ruling of the Court of Appeals for Ontario, and adopted their remedy, rather than citing (except in passing) the Vermont courts which lead to the Civil Unions.

Other State Courts could look at the Massachusetts decision and decide to follow its logic, as well.