|
View comments |
|
|
News :: GLBT/Queer |
|
Equal marriage activists claim victory |
|
|
by Boston IMC volunteers |
14 Sep 2005
|
Equal marriage proponents celebrated victory last night, one day before Massachusetts’ constitutional convention is to decide whether or not to put the issue of same-sex marriage before the voters as a ballot question. The consensus among the press, the activists, and many others is that it will decide not to.
A long line of players in what has become one of the largest and most powerful political groups in the state stood in front of the crowd giving congratulatory speeches and stern warnings. The event was billed as a candlelight vigil but many took the opportunity to celebrate and build up morale for future trials.
Photos courtesy of Mainframe Photographics and are copyrighted |
Click on image for a larger version  |
“Press reports of our impending success may make people complacent,” said Arlene Isaacson, co-chair of the Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus, “We can’t afford that. Don’t stop until our opponents stop fighting against us and leave us alone.”
Some speakers expressed disdain at Attorney General Tom Reilly’s decision to uphold the legality of the proposed constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage last week. Two former AG’s and a long list of attorney’s advised Reilly that the amendment would have violated article 48 of the constitution, which bans referenda on judicial decisions.
“Tom Reilly’s decision goes against the law,” said Mary Bonauto, Civil Rights Director and Lawyer for Gay and Lesbian Activists and Defenders.
Activists are citing the election of state Rep. Carl Sciortino (Medford, Somerville) over incumbent Vincent Ciampa and the primary victory of state Rep. Patricia Jehlen (Somerville) over anti-gay marriage democrat Paul Casey in the race for the Senate as evidence of the issues power to raise voters in the state, and sway other legislators towards supporting what has now become the status quo, legal gay marriage.
At least four legislators have shifted their allegiances in the debate, but the final count will not be known until Wednesday evening. It is rumored that the State house has ordered dinner, thus preparing for a possible long debate, but the word on Beacon Hill is that arguments will be short and the question will be resolved quickly.
Over 6500 same-sex couples have been married in Massachusetts since May 17, 2004. |
Click on image for a larger version  |
See also:
http://www.massequality.org
http://www.glad.org
|
This work licensed under a
Creative Commons license. |
|
Equal Rights Lives...In Massachusetts, California, Canada and the Holland. |
by Equality4All
(No verified email address) |
14 Sep 2005
|
|
Hope the Democrats have better canidates running for governor this upcoming election. |
|
Re: Equal marriage activists claim victory |
by karl roenfanz ( rosey )
k_rosey48 (nospam) hotmail.com (unverified) |
14 Sep 2005
|
|
lets face it "normal" marrage has a 40% failure rate. if anything else in life had that high of a failure rate people would sue. who gets married should be up to those people themselves. only god can determine if people are truely married. |
|
Re: Equal marriage activists claim victory |
by Ben Nasty
(No verified email address) |
15 Sep 2005
|
Update: 9-15-05
Massachusetts legislators soundly defeat a proposed constitutional amendment that would have banned gay marriage in the state while establishing civil unions by a tally of 157-39.
To those that stand up for equal rights for all sexualities: Good job!
To those who do not: HA HA! |
|
Re: Equal marriage activists claim victory |
by artful dodger
(No verified email address) |
17 Sep 2005
|
|
thats a cool sign in the last picture... if you can't read it it says "i'm puzzled i can't vote on your marriage, why should you vote on mine?" |
|
Right On! |
by Richard Kobzey
(No verified email address) |
09 Feb 2006
|
|
I do not see the power in remaining anonymous on this issue. |
RSS Feed
