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Wayne Besen
PO Box 25491
Brooklyn, NY 11202
A proposed constitutional ban on same-sex marriage was defeated today by a joint session of the Legislature by a vote of 45 to 151, eliminating any chance of getting it on the ballot in November 2008. At least 50 votes were needed to advance the measure.
Because fewer than 50 of the state's 200 lawmakers supported the amendment, it will not appear on the 2008 ballot, giving gay marriage advocates a major victory in their battle with social conservatives to keep same-sex marriage legal in Massachusetts.
Opponents of gay marriage face an increasingly tough battle to win legislative approval of any future petitions to appear on a statewide ballot. The next election available to them is 2012.
18 Comments:
Thank you to the legislators who voted against the ban; to the ones who voted for it---take Mitt Romney with you and GO TO HELL!! Red V
posted by Anonymous, at
6/14/2007 2:08 PM
How on earth did that happen. as of yesterday, the bigots were claiming 57 sure votes. they lost 12? Fabulous. And to the bigots who read this: NEENER NEENER NEENER!!!!!
posted by Anonymous, at
6/14/2007 2:34 PM
GOOD has defeated EVIL today! This is a great victory. The legislature did the right thing. And SHAME on those who would devote their life's work to furthering inequality and prejudice in Massachusetts. THIS is why I am proud to be a blue-stater!
posted by Anonymous, at
6/14/2007 2:39 PM
Maybe before 2012 rolls around, we should force a popular vote on the validity of the bigots' marriages.
I'm very happy to hear about this victory in Mass. I live in the South though,red states, I hope the same can eventualy happen.
posted by Anonymous, at
6/14/2007 2:51 PM
Two things:
First, I'd love to have a vote on other peoples' private lives, see how they like it. Unfortunately, so many of them are so sure that they're God's chosen that nothing we say would have an effect.
Second, what I'm hoping is that, with the passage of time, the people who are so strident about preserving and promoting inequality will seen in the same light at George Wallace and those like him who proclaimed "segregation now, segregation forever." At least George Wallace learned the error of his ways. I don't think the fundies are that smart.
posted by Anonymous, at
6/14/2007 2:56 PM
Hmmmmm now I need to find husband material lol.
posted by Anonymous, at
6/14/2007 4:41 PM
If the Dems are truly committed to ending inequality and I don't think they really are, let them enact legislation to recognize same-sex marriage performed elswhere to be recognized at the federal level even in states where there are state bans on same-sex marriage. Then maybe we'll get somewhere.
A lot of credit goes to our new governor, who was out in front on this issue from day one. His language was especially effective; "every citizen has the right to come before their state government as equals." He understands it to his core. God bless Deval.
posted by Jabba, at
6/14/2007 6:23 PM
9 great comments ahead of this one.
This is a HUMONGOUS victory.
Remember June 14, 2007.
Flag Day, no? Fitting -- this is about freedom.
posted by Anonymous, at
6/14/2007 7:27 PM
Hate to rain on our well deserved parade . . . but "the work" becomes harder not easier from hereon as Wayne knows. Finally we have a little good news coming our way but we shouldn't rest until we have the same rights in every state of the Union, no different than straight couples. As the placards said in Mass: It's wrong to vote on rights!
posted by Anonymous, at
6/15/2007 7:49 AM
Richard, I totally concur. As I said in a previous comment, if the Democrats are for full equality, let them start first by legislating that same-sex marriages performed in Massachusetts and elsewhere be recognized at the federal level. It might be an easier way to get to full marriage equality in every state.
Robert, indeed you are right but I am afraid that we still need them. With the last two additions to the Supreme Court, we simply don't have a chance. If those 5 judges voted down a woman's right to same pay as men, we gay people don't have a chance. The majority opinion used the 180 day clause to have it go their way, against women. And if they legislate against women, guess who is right behind that group? The only reason, maybe indirectly for our rights, to vote for Demies is so that they may nominate judges that are not married to the religious right but to justice and a fair interpretation of our Constitution and laws for all (all means us too).
posted by Anonymous, at
6/15/2007 11:51 AM
Richard, I hear you but the problem is that the nine justices are appointed for life. Five of them, all men, are Catholic and I believe are all republican from what I know of them, so the court is stacked against us. Bush made sure of that.
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posted by Anonymous, at
4/11/2009 2:04 AM
