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July 14, 2006

Proposed Massachusetts marriage ban dead until November

Proposed Massachusetts marriage ban dead until November

Massachusetts lawmakers ended debate on proposed constitutional amendments Wednesday before dealing with the most volatile issue on their agenda: a proposal to outlaw same-sex marriage in the only state where it is legal, the Associated Press reports. The move to recess until November 9 put off the decision on the politically charged issue until after the general election.

Senate president Robert Travaglini had said he intended to bring all 20 proposed amendments to a vote but warned that lawmakers might not be able to get to every proposed amendment on Wednesday. The house gallery erupted in applause from gay-rights activists after the vote to recess was announced. Opponents condemned lawmakers for postponing debate.

"It's a real cop-out," Kris Mineau, president of the Massachusetts Family Institute, told the AP.

Same-sex marriage foes had been optimistic they had the votes to move closer to putting the amendment on the 2008 ballot. If approved, the amendment would block future same-sex marriages in Massachusetts. More than 8,000 same-sex couples have taken vows since gay marriages began in May 2004.

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