Massachusetts is the only one of our 50 states to allow gay marriage. That could be in jeopardy.
An anti-gay marriage amendment took a step toward being placed on the 2008 ballot after enough state legislators voted in favor of doing so. The next legislative session must still endorse the amendment for this to happen.
During a break in the proceedings at the State House today, I talked with people on both sides of the issue who'd come to watch.
"The majority of Massachusetts residents fully supports marriage equality for gays and lesbians in the state," said Julie Verratti, a field organizer and canvass director for MassEquality. "In every single state across the country, except Arizona in 2006, when there's been gay marriage on the ballot, they've failed to protect families when people voted."
The Rev. Roberto Miranda, the chairman of VoteOnMarriage who was a plaintiff in two lawsuits against gay marriage, said, "We're convinced we're on the right side ... We're compelled by our convictions to stay until the last minute."
Verratti and Miranda expressed differing views on the role of Gov. Mitt Romney in all this.
"I think everyone understands Mitt Romney is trying to run for president," Verratti said. "He's doing whatever he can to position himself as being more conservative."
Miranda said, "I think (Romney's) been absolutely key. He's provided us with the support of a key member of government on behalf of our amendment. He's given us moral support."
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 3)
1. The title of this article is incorrect it should read "An advancement for marriage"
Rusty at 9:13PM on Jan 2nd 2007
2. You're right; this is an advancement for marriage. Whatever a gay union is, it's not marriage. People say a family is created by love; but read your dictionary. It's created by birth, marriage, or adoption. And marriage is defined as a legal union between a husband and a wife. The latter terms are defined as a married man, and a married woman.
You can love someone w/o marrying them; and you can marry someone w/o loving them.
Rosemarie at 12:51AM on Jan 3rd 2007
3. GAY MARRIAGE IS WRONG, PERIOD!! WE AS A COUNTRY HAVE DEPLEATED THE VALUES AND MORALS ENOUGH!! OUR FOREFATHERS, I'M CERTAIN ARE TURNING IN THEIR GRAVES. IF THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH GAY MARRIAGE, WE WOULDN'T BE HAVING THE DISCUSSION OR VOTE. IT WOULDN'T BE AN ISSUE, IT WOULD BE LEGAL ALREADY!! MARRIAGE IS DESECRATED ENOUGH AS IT IS. I CAN'T MAKE CHOICES FOR OTHERS SEXUAL ORIENTATION. CIVIL UNION SHOULD BE ENOUGH. WE CAN'T SEEM TO FIGURE OUT WHY OUR YOUTH OF TODAY ARE SO VIOLENT AND SCREWED UP. THIS COUNTRY PROMOTES, AND DISPLAYS, THAT THINGS IMMORAL ARE OKAY. WE NEED TO GET BACK TO THE DAYS OF TRADITION, VALUES, & RESPECT THOSE THINGS OUR FOREFATHERS, WOMEN & MEN WORKED SO HARD FOR!! THAT IS WHAT MADE THIS COUNRTY GREAT!! NO, NO & NO TO GAY MARRIAGE!!!!!!!!!! THE BIBLE SAYS..MAN SHALL NOT LIE WITH ANOTHER MAN. ADAM & EVE, NOT ADAM & STEVE!!!
M. CHANDLER at 3:09AM on Jan 3rd 2007
4. Marriage is the BIBLICAL union of a man and a woman. Because this country was founded upon Judeo-Christian beliefs, the legally recognized union of two people is a marriage. If gays want some sort of recognition for their relationships, marriage is not the answer. After all, legal recognition of a union is what is being sought, not God's approval. Coin a new term, invent a phrase, and seek rights to unite legally under that name, but stop trying to force the term marriage to conform to relationships that, biblically, are considered abomination.
Lisette at 3:54AM on Jan 3rd 2007
5. People who are against gay marriage are unAmerican. There are two kinds of marriages. One is a church marriage and the ohter is a civil marriage. The only reason that people gived against gay marriage is that it is a sin and against the Bible. That's fine. No law can tell a church who it can and can't marry. The chruch does not run our government. No church can tell the government who it can and can't marry.
Eve Addams at 6:54AM on Jan 3rd 2007
6. You Know This Is Really Getting Old Ok People Don't Believe In Gay Marriage Ok Then Don't Get Married To The Same Sex... Gay Marriage Has Absolutely NOTHING To Do With Anyone Besides The Two People Getting Married..Yes You Can Love Someone Without Marrying Them But The Bible Also States That Is Sin As Well I Put My Faith In GOD Not A Book... Everyone Should Have The Right To Marry Whether Or Not You Agree Or Disagree It Does Not Concern You Unless They Are Asking You To Marry Them Butt The Hell Out.. And For You People Who Just Love "The Bible" Please Go And Read Up On The Person Who Translated It. Go Read About King James Because I Have For MANY Years Now And King James HIMSELF WAS HOMOSEXUAL THATS RIGHT THE MAN WHO TRANSLATED THE HOLY WORD OF GOD WAS GAY...People Have Too Much Hate In This Country Which Is Appaling And Sad... You Know You Can Preach About The Bible Says This and That Well Guess What? WHAT IS THE BIBLE MOSTLY ABOUT? HE SAID SHE SAID CRAP ABOUT WHAT GOD "SUPPOSEDLY" SAID THE BIBLE IS NOTHING MORE THAN A BOOK WRITTEN BY King James. I Am A Firm Believer In Jesus Christ BUT I REFUSE TO BELIEVE AND TRUST A GOD WHO IS AS HATEFUL AS THE BIBLE MAKES HIM OUT TO BE..
And You Know The Constitution can actually put up a fight against the bible. Fore The Constitution States That "ALL MAN ARE CREATED EQUAL" I am tired of people jumping open arms over issues that does not affect them.. Please Explain To Me How Two People Getting Married Affects You? IT DOESN'T
Austin at 7:39AM on Jan 3rd 2007
7. You tell em austin..... I agree whole heartedly. If it doesn't concern you, butt out. I believe in Love for anyone who can find it....
boston at 10:03AM on Jan 3rd 2007
8. Austin,
You sound a little upset about this gay marriage thing. But, you also seem to have the attitude that anyone should be able to do anything they want. So, why not legalize child porn and molestation? And, how can you believe in God and not believe in His word? Do you receive directions from his in some sort of spiritual dream, or by way of a holy cell phone? What do you do ensure you are following His wishes?
Joe at 10:22AM on Jan 3rd 2007
9. austin is on the money--this is a NONsecular country. Civil marriage and religious recognized marriage are different. One can be without the other. Really, this notion of the country being based on judeo christian ethic is partly accurate but the founding fathers went out of their way to separate church and state--insuring the freedom to worship as YOU believe and others as they do. In this instance, civil marriage doesn't hurt anyone or effect anyone but the two parties. Its just a form of discrimination--why not push to preclude inter racial marriages too?
as to the commentary about legalizing porn or child abuse, aside from being absurd, there are victims of those actions. Where are the victims here aside from some groundless banter about diluting values or causing violent youth etc--really? Is that the best mask to put on your hate and ignorance?
mind your own business at 10:41AM on Jan 3rd 2007
10. I am a woman who has been married for 20 years. I have 2 children. I find absolutly nothing wrong with 2 gay people getting married. It has nothing to do with me or my family.
Barbara Rodriguez at 10:58AM on Jan 3rd 2007
11. Amen Austin! Why are so many people sooo concerned about something that does not concern them in the least?!?!
As with anything else... If you don't like consumption of alcohol, don't consume alcohol. If you don't like fornication; don't fornicate. If you have a problem with the big ole nasty corporate machine that (although imperfect) continues to afford you the luxury of living in the greatest nation in the history of all human civilization; turn off your computer and move to Cuba.
If you are such a biblical literalist that you believe that every character of the text is the word of God, then LIVE THAT WAY! You are not at liberty to pick and choose excerpts that you find useful in BAHSING others while ignoring other commandments that are obviously written for you.
Oh, so you say "I DO live that way" To that I would like to offer a few direct quotes from the King James...
"Do not cut the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your Beard" _ Leviticus 19:12
I have never heard a preacher deliver a sermon on the evils of shaving...Have you?
"At the end of seven years you must cancel debts" _ Deuteronomy 15:1
Certainly none you literalists have a mortgage... Do you?
"Your male and female slaves are to come from the nations around you; from them your may buy slaves. You may also buy some of the temporary residents living around you and members of their clans born in your country, and they will become your property" _ Leviticus 25:44-45
Slave traders?
Oh, you don't believe in the human slave trade? THEN DON'T BUY SLAVES.
Don't believe in same sex marriage? THEN MARRY THE OPPOSITE SEX.
More intelligent that either side of this argument? DON'T MARRY AT ALL!!!!!!!
Dean at 11:03AM on Jan 3rd 2007
12. Who the hell is Steve?
Barbara Rodriguez at 11:10AM on Jan 3rd 2007
13. I am a women who has been married for 20 years. I have 2 children. I find nothing wrong with two gay people getting married. It is not my business. It has nothing to do with me or my family. I really want to know what it has to do with anybody else.
Barbara Rodriguez at 11:20AM on Jan 3rd 2007
14. I agreee with Austin. I am a great believer in Love in whatever form you may find it, If you can find it. If it hurts no one who should care?
As far as the rest of the comments. Child porn and abuse is a whole different issue and has nothing to do with love.
Love is a mutual feeling between 2 souls. Not a choice for anyone else to make but the parties involved. I am not gay but I have many friends who are and I have attended a few committment ceremonies that are a beaticul to witness as any "straight" wedding.
TONI at 11:27AM on Jan 3rd 2007
15. The ignorance of people is astounding really. No one is asking for holy matrimony. In your church, you can say who marries who...But thanks to the separation of church and state, your church laws do not equal the law of the land.
You're right, some of the laws are similar. Obviously killing another man is wrong. It used to be an eye for an eye...Do you think that we should rape a rapist? Or do you concede that rape is wrong, but there are better ways to punish someone. If so, then why not apply the same train of thought to same sex marriage. Traditionally, there have been only hetero marriages- but it is time to move on and stop letting the church dictate the law! Religious freedom means you can express your religion, but I'm entitled to mine too!
not backing down at 12:44PM on Jan 3rd 2007