Same-Sex Marriage Safe In Massachusetts

By drodriguez Aug 08, 2007

“In Massachusetts today, the freedom to marry is secure,” were the words spoken by Governor Deval Patrick last month after the legislature voted against a proposed amendment to the constitution that would define marriage as between a man and a woman. This is a big win for supporters of same-sex marriage and means that gay marriage cannot be challenged again in this state until 2012.

Since 2004 it has been legal for same-sex couples to get married in the state of Massachusetts. Though there are five states in the U.S. that have legalized civil union between gay couples, Massachusetts is currently the only state in the U.S. where same-sex marriage is legal.

Opponents of same-sex marriage started a petition to amend the constitution back in December of 2005. The Massachusetts Family Institute was able to collect 170,000 signatures and received support from Governor Mitt Romney to propose the amendment that would ban same-sex marriage.

Back in January the amendment went through its first round in the legislature and was met with approval votes from 62 lawmakers (it only needed 50 votes). Now in this final round in June it only received 45 votes supporting a ban on same-sex marriage, which means that a good deal of state legislators had to change their minds about same-sex marriage over these last few months.

One state legislator, Paul Kujawski, who originally voted to ban same-sex marriage but then changed his vote after hearing from same-sex marriage activists and meeting with gay men and women said, “I can’t take away the happiness those people have been able to enjoy.” He added, “Our job is to help people who need help, and I feel the gay side of the issue needed more help than the other side.”

What do you think of the latest win for same-sex marriage supporters in Massachusetts?

Do you think this latest vote in Massachusetts might sway more U.S. states to adopt same-sex marriage?

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Comments

by JaxxSaxx | national park, NJ

Aug 22, 2007

I'M VERY HAPPY THAT THE GAY COMMUNITTE HAVE THE SAME RIGHTS THAT ALL OTHERS HAVE THEY ARE PEPOLE JUST LIKE EVERY ONE EALSE.EVERY ONE NEEDS SOME ONE TO LOVE.{ GO MASSACHUSETTS }!!!!!!!!!!!

by prof_organizer | Chattanooga, TN

Aug 17, 2007

In college, I studied the Supreme Court case, Loving v. Virginia, which overturned the antimiscegenation laws which had prevented interracial marriage until 1967. The Supreme Court ruled, as part of a multi-part ruling, that the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment, which states "no state shall? deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws", made the antimiscegenation laws unconstitutional.

I see absolutely no difference between interracial marriage and same-sex marriage, and believe that allowing other people to have their full rights as citizens cannot, in any way, adversely impact my rights. Indeed, granting equal protection to others only serves to confirm the sanctity of my own freedoms!

by BustyAttitudeBabe | Villa Hills, KY

Aug 13, 2007

I am totally stoked to hear this and I agree with the above posts it's important to protect our civil liberties and protect the rights of all of our citizens regardless of whether or not we agree with how they they have chosen to live!

by kaszubak | Brooklyn, NY

Aug 09, 2007

My policy is this: "Don't enforce your beliefs on me." Many individuals who oppose gay marriage hold this position because it goes against their religious beliefs. This country was founded by people who were escaping persecution of many kinds -including religion. How much sense does it make then, that those who have religious beliefs that conflict with gay marriage, are allowed to create (or try to create) laws that define how the rest of the population chooses to live (and love)? Is this any different from imperialist nations not allowing people from those nations they imperialized from having children because it was believed the imperialized people were of a less-intelligent/worthwhile race (aka sub-human)?

Who has the right to decide how I or you choose to live?

by Normamay | Miramar, FL

Aug 09, 2007

I hope Mass can encourage other states to join in legalizing gay marriage. All the other states that do not allow gay marriage are in violation of a gay person's civil right. And that is offensive and wrong plain and simple.