TORONTO - FEBRUARY 14: (CANADA OUT) Same-sex couple Scott Gould (C) and Paul Langsholt (R) of Rockford, Illinois, exchange rings during their marriage ceremony presided over by Ontario Provincial Judge Brownstone (L) February 14, 2004 in Toronto, Canada. The American gay couple traveled to Canada to be married legally on Valentine's Day. (Photo by Phill Snel/Getty Images)

In Toronto, when the jubilation of same-sex marriage was at its peak, young lovers everywhere made their way across the border to get hitched. The pictures from that time are glowing.

I know a number of people who got married then. Some of them are still as happy as ever and some, as can be expected, are separated and looking for a way out.

Unfortunately, a Texas court has ruled that a state where gay marriage is not recognized cannot divorce a gay couple.

This makes legal sense. It is very difficult to end a legal relationship that is not recognized. Since the relationship effectively becomes null and void when the couple enters the State, I support the court’s decision to not hear the petition for divorce.

Now most people I know would be happy to travel back to Toronto, or Massachusetts or New York or any other jurisdiction that recognizes the unwanted union. But states have residency requirements, usually one year. Courts don’t want to be granting divorces that entail complicated and ongoing legal orders when people aren’t going to be around to have those orders enforced. It’s a lot more involved than getting married.

The hope for gay couples is that Las Vegas, Nevada will become the next state to legalize same-sex marriage. Then you’ll only have to go on a six week vacation to get rid of the unwanted partner. Otherwise, the law will have to catch up to the problems state’s rights with respect to marriage creates. This would mean requiring all states to recognize gay marriage when it comes to divorce proceedings. An important precedent for the argument that gay marriages from other states should be recognized across the country, although not a mandate more conservatives regions of the country are likely to accept.