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Photo Sally Rose
Supporters of gay marriage gathered on the steps in front of the State House as early as 7 a.m. Thursday, with those supporting the amendment to repeal gay marriage rights congregating on the opposite side of the street. |
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Gay marriage ban amendment blocked
Banner Daily Update posted Fri. June 15
By Sally Rose
Banner Staff
BOSTON — The state’s voters will not be allowed in 2008 to weigh in on whether same-sex marriage should be banned by a constitutional amendment.
During the Constitutional Convention Thursday, the final vote in the state Legislature tallied 45-151, with 45 voting for moving the amendment to the ballot and 151 against.
State legislators who believe it is an issue that should have gone to the state’s voters came up five votes short Thursday, with a total of 50 needed in this second vote of the Legislature on the amendment.
Demonstrators on both sides of the issue began gathering early Thursday morning in front of the State House to publicly make their druthers known on the topic. Supporters of gay marriage assembled on the steps in front of the State House as early as 7 a.m. with those supporting the amendment to repeal gay marriage rights on the opposite side of the street.
Same-sex marriage became legal in 2003 when the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled 4-3 that same-sex marriage is legal based on the state constitution.
“We applaud the Legislature for showing that Massachusetts is strongly behind fairness. Equality for gay and lesbian citizens has enriched our state, made our communities stronger and our families happier,” said Lee Swislow, executive director of Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders in a statement issued shortly after the vote. “The vote today was the triumph of time, experience and understanding over fear and prejudice.”
On the other side of the issue, the amendment proponent, the Massachusetts Family Institute, cited “the unrelenting pressure by” Governor Deval Patrick, House Speaker Sal DiMasi and Senate President Therese Murray “forcing some lawmakers to switch their positions on the issue during the 11th hour.”
"The governor and house speaker have been unrelenting in fighting the natural course of advancement on the marriage amendment and the people's right to vote," said Kris Mineau, president of Massachusetts Family Institute and spokesman for voteonmarriage.org in his statement. "We will look very closely at the circumstances by which legislators switched their vote for ethics violations or improprieties."
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Jun 14th, 2007