Justices Told to Officiate Gay Marriages or Resign

Gov. Mitt Romney’s top legal counsel told the state’s justices of the peace to resign if they were unwilling to preside over same-sex marriages next month.

Daniel Winslow said in Boxboro that Romney expected the justices to comply with the law, even though the Republican governor opposes gay marriage and has sought to delay its court-ordered legalization May 17.

“Gov. Romney understands and respects that people have very strong personal views both for or against same-gender marriage,” Winslow told justices gathered to learn about the impending changes. “But on this point, the law is clear.”