Mass. Lawmakers Block Gay Marriage Vote

Constitutional Amendment Would Have Let Voters Decide Whether To Ban Gay Marriage

(CBS/AP)  Massachusetts lawmakers blocked a proposed constitutional amendment Thursday that would have let voters decide whether to ban gay marriage in the only state that allows it.

Three years after this highly contentious debate began here on Beacon Hill, only 45 lawmakers voted today in favor of the constitutional amendment, so the proposal will not be going before voters in 2008, reports CBS News' Lana Jones.

To get the proposed ban on the 2008 statewide ballot would have required 50 votes. There was no debate.

The narrow vote was a victory for gay marriage advocates and a blow to efforts to reverse the historic court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage in the state. More than 8,500 gay couples have married in Massachusetts since it became legal in May 2004.

"The nation's eyes were on Massachusetts today, and they saw a triumph for civil rights and fundamental fairness," said Senator Edward Kennedy. "Today's historic vote will have a national impact on civil rights for years to come. Massachusetts has led the nation in education, in health care and in biotechnology, and today Massachusetts renewed its commitment as a proud leader in civil rights."

As the tally was announced, the halls of the Statehouse erupted in applause.

"We're proud of our state today, and we applaud the Legislature for showing that Massachusetts is strongly behind fairness," said Lee Swislow, executive director of Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders.

Opponents of gay marriage vowed to press on, but Thursday's defeat after more than three years of sometimes wrenching debate could prove insurmountable. Any effort to mount a new ballot question would take years at a time political support in Massachusetts is swinging firmly behind gay marriage.

For gay couples, the vote marked what could be the end of a struggle that began in 2001, when seven same-sex couples, denied marriage licenses, sued in Suffolk Superior Court.

Outside the Statehouse, hundreds of people rallied on both sides of the issue.

"We believe it's unconstitutional not to allow people to vote on this," said Rebekah Beliveau, 24, of Lawrence, a student at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary who stood with fellow college-age amendment supporters across the street from the Statehouse.

Advocates of the amendment said they gathered 170,000 signatures supporting the amendment, although the secretary of state's office accepted only 123,000. "We're standing up not necessarily on the issue of same-sex marriage, but our right to vote," Beliveau said.

Across the road, gay marriage advocates stood on the front steps of the capital waving signs that read, "Wrong to Vote on Rights" and "All Families Are Equal."

Jean Chandler, 62, of Cambridge, came with fellow members of her Baptist church in an effort to rebuff the image that strict followers of the Bible are opposed to gay marriage.

"I think being gay is like being left-handed," Chandler said. "If we decided left-handed people couldn't marry, what kind of society would we be?"

In contrast to previous joint sessions, there was no debate Thursday. Senate President Therese Murray opened the constitutional convention by calling for a vote, and the session was gaveled to a close immediately afterward.

[toolmangler-2009]

And on the subject of "clone rights" anyone see the movie ISLAND?
Posted by ozilot at 11:41 AM : Jun 16, 2007


Well I''ll be! I thought they were joking about me sticking around because they were fixin' to make a movie!!! Bow hout that!!! I should'a stayed. ;)

[kansas1946]

Good God, who would have ever thought that Columbia would be more progressive, gentle, loving, and caring about its gay citizens than us. You know, Americans really are becoming intolerant fools instead of leaders for human rights.
**************
AP) Colombia is set to become the first Latin American country to give established gay couples full rights to health insurance, inheritance and social security under a bill passed by its Congress.

The plan approved Thursday is expected to take effect soon. It is backed by the country's conservative President Alvaro Uribe.

The measure would allow gay couples in long-term relationships to have the same health insurance and social security benefits as heterosexual couples. It also guarantees that assets accumulated during the relationship will be divided between the two, and in the case of death, inherited by the survivor.

[toolmangler-2009]

By then we will probably be arguing the civil liberties of clones!
Posted by kansas1946 at 09:48 PM : Jun 15, 2007


See there! I tol' you them *** 'n mex's would find some way to breed.
ssshhhheeeeeeesssshhhhh!!!!!! ;)

[toolmangler-2009]

Who could help but acknowledge your electrifying (da-dum) presence TM? You're a positive (ta-dum) influence all around. Your energy (ba-dum) and spark (ba-dum-tssh) cannot be denied, and you seem very grounded (insert yet another snare and cymbal sound here, I'm tired of thinking up variations).

Posted by pakaal at 08:44 PM : Jun 15, 2007


Now I know how chewing gum on a shoe sole feels, two dimensional and sticky... ;)

[kansas1946]

Well, I have learned a couple of things by reading this entire stream. I have learned that a lot of Americans have no idea what form of government we have, what a demcracy is, why we have a constitution, and what that constitution means.
Also, I learned that very few people who say they are Christians read the bible, live by it, or know what it means.
Fortunately, it will all shake out, and in twenty years this won't be much of an issue. Gay families will be protected, have the same civil liberties as anyone, and Americans will be picking on someone else. By then we will probably be arguing the civil liberties of clones!

[toolmangler-2009]

posted from another article.. No accuracy intended..

[toolmangler-2009]

This has truly been fun, Really nice to meet you pakaal. I will keep your name in my mind only.
If Rand hadn't wimped out on us this could have been a real 'roundtable'.

[pakaal]

OK kids, it's been great. Love to all (including ToolMangler, though he broke my heart, and especially singinrick, 'cause he needs it more than most), congrats to MA, see y'all elsewhere on the boards....

[pakaal]

But 'IF' you feel that they have merit, by all means join up. By Kracky you got a 'charge' out of me anyway. (grin)
Posted by ToolMangler at 08:37 PM : Jun 15, 2007

Who could help but acknowledge your electrifying (da-dum) presence TM? You're a positive (ta-dum) influence all around. Your energy (ba-dum) and spark (ba-dum-tssh) cannot be denied, and you seem very grounded (insert yet another snare and cymbal sound here, I'm tired of thinking up variations).

[toolmangler-2009]

We're just too different TM, it'll never work out.

You've got that right. I won't go to their site. They pirated the name 'Baptist' as have other so_called churches. Anyway I'm not here preaching, wouldn't even if I could. But 'IF' you feel that they have merit, by all means join up. By Kracky you got a 'charge' out of me anyway. (grin)

[pakaal]

You mean theres 'only' 8,500 gay couples in Mass? How'd they get so much clout? I mean them Boys eerrrr, people managed to make an entire State kowtow to their wishes.....
Posted by ToolMangler at 08:25 PM : Jun 15, 2007

You wish it was only those couples, and not also the vast majority of people in MA who see their point!

That's what I don't get. Everyone keeps saying the minority pushed this on the majority, yet the best the folks who wanted the Constitutional amendment could do, ended in less than 25% of the MA legislature being swayed by their arguments.

It just seems like people are complaining about the legislative process not working in their favor, and the whole point is it worked exactly as it should. Or am I missing something?

[toolmangler-2009]

You mean theres 'only' 8,500 gay couples in Mass? How'd they get so much clout? I mean them Boys eerrrr, people managed to make an entire State kowtow to their wishes.....

[pakaal]

I have doubts that the amendment would have passed but it is my contention that due process was (hee,hee) short curcuited. comments?
Posted by ToolMangler at 08:17 PM : Jun 15, 2007

Heh, I went for the Westboro Baptist church quote for comments, you're actually discussing politics. We're just too different TM, it'll never work out.

But seriously. How was it short-circuited? The court said the legislature had to address unconstitutionality of denying gay marriage. Legislature responds. Opponents try a constitutional amendment. Not enough votes. They try it again. Not enough votes. And here we are.

[pakaal]

I'll take you back, but only if Randal will join in for a threesome....

How about this? A Baptist church out in Westboro says that US troops are "***-*** Soldiers". Agree? Disagree?

[toolmangler-2009]

"We're standing up not necessarily on the issue of same-*** marriage, but our right to vote," Beliveau said.


There is the point in question. I have doubts that the amendment would have passed but it is my contention that due process was (hee,hee) short curcuited. comments?

[toolmangler-2009]

Wellll!!! There he is!! BBBZZZZZAAAATTTT!!! dern HV caps. they'll do every time.
nother electrical learnin' experience....

[toolmangler-2009]

Come on back Rand, he's done thrown me over fer some one else. OK!!! everybody outa thu pool!!!

I'm goin' back to my electrical charges. aint no emotional roller coasters there.


NEXT!!!!!!!

[pakaal]

UUURRRPPP!!!!! What? Oh!! Hi. Sorry 'bout that. fergot mah manners. Pizza really hits the spot. Must be siesta time there. Ooops fergot you don't share that border, do ya?
Posted by ToolMangler at 07:55 PM : Jun 15, 2007

Hmm, and I finished two slices myself for lunch not two hours ago.

And nope, no borders here, except the watery one. Fairly effective at keeping people from swimming here from Cuba, to be sure.

[toolmangler-2009]

HEYYYY!!!!!! theres a real person in there (grin)

[toolmangler-2009]

UUURRRPPP!!!!! What? Oh!! Hi. Sorry 'bout that. fergot mah manners. Pizza really hits the spot. Must be siesta time there. Ooops fergot you don't share that border, do ya?