Mass. Upholds Gay Marriage

State lawmakers shot down an initiative to reverse Massachusetts' same-sex marriage policy and mandate civil unions for gays. The signature-gathering campaign was launched by anti-gay conservative groups and certified by Attorney General Thomas Reilly in the wake of Massachusetts' legalization of gay marriage in 2003. Despite the defeat, the reversal campaign will continue until December. If successful, a full constitutional ban on gay marriage could follow. A small victory today could be devastating for gay marriage tomorrow, even though married gay couples have proven that gay marriage is not detrimental to heterosexual unions.

Gay supporters hope that lawmakers will continue to see what Republican state Sen. Brian Lees (one of the sponsors of the original anti-gay marriage amendment) sees, "Gay marriage has begun, and life has not changed for the citizens of the commonwealth, with the exception of those who can now marry.'' ... read the full story

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