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June 14, 2007
Mass. marriage ban killed!
Posted by: Chris
The proposed amendment to the Massachusetts state constitution died today
with only 45 votes out of a possible 200 in support — five less than
necessary to put the measure on the November 2008 ballot. The narrow
45-151 vote means Massachusetts remains the only state in the nation to
allow same-sex couples to marry. The question needed the approval of 50
of 200 senators and representatives to advance to the 2008 ballot.
Details here.
The victory is truly remarkable, considering that only one-quarter of the 200 legislators voting would have sent the measure to the ballot, where it would have divided the state and wasted millions in a risky fight to win a popular vote for our civil rights. True kudos go out to Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick, a strong supporter of marriage equality, who personally lobbied wavering legislators and no doubt made the difference in closing days.
If ever you needed proof we're on the right side of history, you got it today. Gay marriage is here to stay in the US of A.
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Comments
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Yes, thank you all involved making the right choice. A choice for equality.
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I wonder if the outcome would gave been the same had Mitt Romney still been Governor of Massachusetts.
The vote today in Massachusetts clearly points out the need to have politicians who support gay rights in all levels of government.
There are few, if any, Republican politicians who would have lobbied for us as vigorously as did the current Democratic Governor of Massachusetts, Deval Patrick.
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The truth is that there are few Democrats who would have lobbied like that for our cause.
Elliot Spitzer of NY probably would have and Bill Richardson probably. In fact Richardson lobbied hard to kill an anti gay state constitutional amendment to outlaw same sex marriage ..... and WON. NM was the first state to defeat such an amendment.
Had Bill or Hillary Clinton or Barrack Obama been governor, I seriously doubt they would have come through for us. There is a slim chance Edwards would have found his voice on this issue. He is becoming braver and braver on our issues. These would be interesting questions to ask these politicians.
May Patrick Duval's spine be an example for others. One CAN do the right thing. It is EASY to do the right thing. It is LAUDABLE to do the right thing.
We'll see if Duval's leadership helps others overcome their fear of this issue.
Andoni, Seattle
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Yaaay. Happy gay news for a change.
The comments to this entry are closed.
Andoni on Jun 14, 2007 3:36:39 PM:
This is a truly remarkable vote. It was NOT a procedural vote. It was a straight up or down vote on the question of same sex marriage...... and we won.
Thank you everyone involved with this victory.