Friday June 15, 2007 Vol 35 Issue 24 |
 |
|
|
Saturday, Aug 30, 2008
|
 |
||||||
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
|||||
 |
|||||
SGN EXCLUSIVE FROM BOSTON - Massachusetts legislature defeats ban on marriage for same-sex couples |
||
.jpg) |
||
| SGN EXCLUSIVE FROM BOSTON - Massachusetts legislature defeats ban on marriage for same-sex couples | ||
|
"Today's historic vote will have a national impact on civil rights for years to come," said U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy. by Joshua Friedes - Special to the SGN The Massachusetts legislature voted Thursday, June 14, against placing a constitutional amendment on the 2008 ballot that would have prevented same-sex couples from legally marrying. In a state where politics is considered a blood sport, even jaded political pundits were biting their nails before the constitutional convention convened at 1 p.m. Just minutes before the convening of the constitutional convention where the House and Senate sit in joint session, supporters of the marriage ban were claiming that they had over 50 votes, the threshold for placing the measure on the ballot. Simultaneously, marriage equality lobbyists were voicing confidence that there would be a fast vote and that their side would prevail. Just minutes after the convention was convened, the vote was called and the amendment failed 45 in favor and 151 opposed. In the last 24 hours, several legislators switched their votes according to advocates and one opponent of marriage equality was hurt in an accident and unable to attend. Inside and outside the building, marriage equality supporters cheered at the news of the vote. Opponents seemed stunned and were unusually quiet. Beacon Street in front of the State House was largely blocked by the crowds, causing traffic jams in congested downtown Boston. A few of those gathered, like veteran Gay rights activists from the National Gay and Lesbian Taskforce, had held an all night vigil while supporters from both sides gathered early in the morning to show support for their positions. Security was tight, but with well over 15 votes in the legislature on the Gay marriage issues since seven same-sex couples sued for the right to marry in 2001, rules have been established to minimize conflict. Clergy who support marriage equality marched together from St. Paul's Cathedral, the Episcopal Dioceses, which sits directly across the Boston Common from the State House. Over 1,000 clergy and congregations have signed the religious declaration in support of marriage equality drafted in 1998 by the Religious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry. Bishop Barbara Harris was among the many clergy present at the rally. "Today's decision by Massachusetts lawmakers to defeat the marriage amendment is a cause for great rejoicing," said the Rev. William Sinkford, president of Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations. On behalf of the Unitarian Universalist Association, I want to thank the legislators who did the right thing by preserving the Massachusetts constitution and keeping our marriage laws free from discrimination. This decision makes a profound difference in the lives of thousands of couples and families in this state, and it shines as a beacon of hope for same-sex couples across the country. Marriage is a civil right." Jewish and Protestant clergy have for years joined with the Catholic laity in Massachusetts to blunt the power of the Catholic Conference, the official lobbying arm of the Catholic Church that opposed marriage equality. Supporters of marriage equality massed on the State House side of Beacon Street and opponents massed on the Boston Common side. Access inside the building by the legislative chambers has been limited at recent conventions. At earlier conventions, the building filled to near capacity as opponents of marriage equality would chant "let the people vote", while supporters of marriage equality would sing patriotic songs. After the vote, legislators who supported marriage equality stood on the grand staircase inside the statehouse and addressed the media and hundreds of marriage equality supporters, while most waited outside for a post vote rally. Governor Deval Patrick, Massachusetts' first African American governor, said the vote was not only a victory for marriage equality but also a victory for equality. Republican minority leader, Senator Richard Tisei, reminded the crowd that the pledge of allegiance ends with "and liberty and justice for all." In the legislative gallery, audience members are not allowed to speak but may recite the pledge with the legislature. Over the years it has become tradition at the conventions for supporters of marriage equality to raise their voices loudly when saying "for all." Support for marriage equality has grown among Republican lawmakers since Democrat John Rogers introduced the first anti-marriage equality legislation in Massachusetts in December of 1998. Former Massachusetts Republican lawmaker William Weld lobbied against the amendment over the last several days. Rogers voted against the most recent anti-marriage equality amendment, showing how much the legislators have changed. State Senator Gale Candaras, a Democrat, was one of the legislators who changed positions and voted against the ban. "For me, what all this comes down to is this: Same gendered couples are taxpaying, law-abiding citizens, who are important community contributors, well-loved and well-respected by their families, friends, neighbors and employers," she said. "They deserve and are entitled to the same legal protections enjoyed by all others citizens of our state. This is the law of the Commonwealth, articulated by our Supreme Judicial Court in Goodrich v. The Department of Public Health, decided in November, 2003." After the impromptu press conference on the grand staircase, legislators and advocates went outside for a brief rally were the crowd thanked legislators, lobbyists and leaders of the marriage equality movement. After years of struggle, the chants of "Thank You" and "Together We Can Win" were again used. Getting large applause were veterans of the movement, including lobbyist Arline Isaacson; MassEquality Campaign Director Marc Solomon; former Campaign director Marty Rouse, who came in from Washington D.C. where he now works as Field Director for the Human Rights Campaign; and Mary Bonauto, who argued the marriage equality case before the Massachusetts high court. Many legislators and advocates then went to the offices of openly Gay senator Jarrett Barrios. Legislators offered toasts and talked of how stories from constituents had moved their colleagues and propelled them to work tirelessly in support of marriage equality. Indeed, throughout the day, legislators thanked the people who spoke openly and honestly about their lives for making the day's vote possible. For many marriage equality supporters, the day ended at Club Café in Boston's South End. Over the years, the popular venue has been the home to dozens of fundraisers and parties for MassEquality, the Freedom to Marry Coalition and equality minded legislators. In recent years, it has also hosted election night parties where marriage equality supporters have gathered to listen to returns. To those living outside the Bay State, it is hard to imagine having a marriage equality majority in the legislature, let alone the 75 percent support that was required to block the amendment. Only California to date has passed marriage equality legislation. To those in Massachusetts, the day's vote marked the culmination of nearly 15 years of work. The Freedom to marry Coalition of Massachusetts was founded in 1993, the religious coalition for the Freedom to marry was organized in 1998 and MassEquality a coalition of organizations dedicated to preserving the Goodridge decision hired its first staff in 2004 and within a year had a budget of nearly 2 million dollars. GLAD, Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders filed the marriage equality lawsuit in the spring of 2001. The court ruled in November of 2003 and marriages started on May 17, 2004. To date, over 9,000 couples have legally wed in Massachusetts. Opponents of marriage equality promise to try to amend the constitution yet again. But most agree that their window of opportunity has passed as the voters of the Commonwealth are increasingly comfortable, if not downright proud, of being the first state in the nation to end discrimination against Gay and Lesbian couples in the issuance of marriage licenses. "The nation's eyes were on Massachusetts today, and they saw a triumph for civil rights and fundamental fairness," said U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts. "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." Joshua Friedes is the longtime Advocacy Director of the Freedom to Marry Coalition of Massachusetts and a Founding Board Member of MassEquality. He presently works as the Advocacy Director of Equal Rights Washington. He was at the Massachustts State House on Thursday. The quotes in this story were compiled by the Boston Globe. |
||
 |
||
|
|
||
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 post your own information on the Seattle Gay Blog |
copyright Seattle Gay News - DigitalTeamWorks 2007