St. Petersburg Times
Special report
Video report
  • For their own good
    Fifty years ago, they were screwed-up kids sent to the Florida School for Boys to be straightened out. But now they are screwed-up men, scarred by the whippings they endured. Read the story and see a video and portrait gallery.
  • More video reports
Multimedia report
Print Email this storyEmail story Comment Letter to the editor
Fill out this form to email this article to a friend
Your name Your email
Friend's name Friend's email
Your message
 

Gay marriage ban dies in Mass. legislature

In the only state that allows it, lawmakers keep the issue from voters.

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published June 15, 2007


ADVERTISEMENT

BOSTON - Massachusetts lawmakers threw out a proposed constitutional amendment Thursday that would have let voters decide whether to ban gay marriage in the only state that allows it.

The vote was a devastating blow to efforts to reverse a historic 2003 court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage.

"Today's vote is not just a victory for marriage equality. It was a victory for equality itself, " said Gov. Deval Patrick, who had lobbied lawmakers up until the final hours to kill the measure.

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

The ban needed 50 votes in consecutive sessions of the 200-seat legislature to secure a place on the 2008 statewide ballot. At the end of the last session in January it passed with 62 votes, but this time it garnered just 45.

"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.

Former Gov. Mitt Romney, now running for president, called the vote "a regrettable setback" and said it makes it more important now to pass a national amendment banning gay marriage.

"Marriage is an institution that goes to the heart of our society, and our leaders can no longer abdicate their responsibility, " he said.

More than 8, 500 gay couples have married there since it became legal in May 2004.

The legal fight over gay marriage began in 2001 when seven same-sex couples who had been denied marriage licenses sued in Suffolk Superior Court.

[Last modified June 15, 2007, 01:26:23]


Share your thoughts on this story

Comments on this article
by Anne 06/15/07 06:26 PM
Solution: Every couple gets a "civil union", from the state, with all rights afforded under the law. Those who wish it, may receive a "religious marriage" at the church of their choice after their civil union.
by Pete 06/15/07 06:01 PM
The world has to first allow 2 people this natural right to couple, before anything beyond that can exist. No Predjuice or hatred here. As for being fascist, I am an American. We are all fascists.
by Glynn 06/15/07 02:23 PM
Pete, why are YOU setting up an atmosphere that will certainly discriminate against those who want to marry 2 or more people? Don't even think YOUR prejudice and hatred will stop love. The boundries are smashed, get over it you fascist pig.
by Bernie 06/15/07 12:35 PM
Good for Mass. But one has to wonder, do gay couples realize that they are now creating a new niche for more lawyers to fill? Those who specialize in gay divorce. Perhaps this gay marriage thing is not so good afterall!
by GT 06/15/07 10:42 AM
I'm so over the soundbite of marriage=religious bond, etc etc. When an atheist can walk into a courthouse and get married and no complaints, it's not a religious ceremony anymore. Get over it! Love all? Judge not?
by Pete 06/15/07 08:20 AM
Why is it so hard to let ANY 2 people, who want to legally support each other for life, to do so? Thank You Massachusetts, for yet again being a beacon of light in the US for equal rights!!
Subscribe to the Times
Click here for daily delivery
of the St. Petersburg Times.

Email Newsletters

ADVERTISEMENT