Post by Kacer on Jan 20, 2005 18:22:22 GMT -5
Signs of Intelligence: Massachusetts Leans Away from Gay Marriage Ban
Posted by spatula on Jan. 20, 2005
(1 comment from readers)
Perhaps they realized that the sky is not falling...
LGBT News
QueerThoughts is a dynamic new website for GLBT issues. Rick Barnes the senior editor has been active on queer rights & electing Queer positive people at all levels of govt. The tide appears to be turning in Massachusetts as support for a state Constitutional amendment banning gay marriage is waning. The state legislature narrowly voted for the amendment in March of last year by a 105-92 margin, but it has to pass one more roll-call vote to be placed on the 2006 ballot.
According to the Boston Globe, "analysis of newly sworn-in legislators indicates that gay-marriage forces added a net of at least two votes in the fall legislative elections," and "three gay-marriage opponents have resigned in recent weeks."
House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi noted, "Gay marriage has been in effect for a long time, and the world hasn't collapsed. That might be an influence."
The Globe also claims that a number of legislators who initially voted for the amendment are now rethinking their positions. Even cosponsor Brian P. Lees is said to be reconsidering. Many of these lawmakers were reportedly worried about a political backlash that never came. The only backlash was against two opponents of gay marriage who lost their seats in the House.
No date has yet been set for the next roll-call vote.
Posted by spatula on Jan. 20, 2005
(1 comment from readers)
Perhaps they realized that the sky is not falling...
LGBT News
QueerThoughts is a dynamic new website for GLBT issues. Rick Barnes the senior editor has been active on queer rights & electing Queer positive people at all levels of govt. The tide appears to be turning in Massachusetts as support for a state Constitutional amendment banning gay marriage is waning. The state legislature narrowly voted for the amendment in March of last year by a 105-92 margin, but it has to pass one more roll-call vote to be placed on the 2006 ballot.
According to the Boston Globe, "analysis of newly sworn-in legislators indicates that gay-marriage forces added a net of at least two votes in the fall legislative elections," and "three gay-marriage opponents have resigned in recent weeks."
House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi noted, "Gay marriage has been in effect for a long time, and the world hasn't collapsed. That might be an influence."
The Globe also claims that a number of legislators who initially voted for the amendment are now rethinking their positions. Even cosponsor Brian P. Lees is said to be reconsidering. Many of these lawmakers were reportedly worried about a political backlash that never came. The only backlash was against two opponents of gay marriage who lost their seats in the House.
No date has yet been set for the next roll-call vote.