Mass. lawmakers agree on gay marriage ban
Massachusetts lawmakers gave preliminary approval Monday to a state constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriages but offer civil unions to same-sex couples. If the amendment receives one more vote of approval during the current session, the Legislature still would have to adopt an identical measure in the 2005-06 session then send it to voters on the November 2006 ballot before the state constitution could be changed. Under a state high court ruling in November, the nation's first state-sanctioned gay marriages will take place in Massachusetts on May 17. The amendment would have no effect on that deadline. Competing cries of "Jesus Christ" and "Equal Rights" shook the Statehouse as backers and opponents of same-sex marriage filled the hallways.
ABC News
Governor Mitt Romney immediately vowed to ask the court to block gay marriages until voters can decide the fate of the dual proposal in November 2006. "The Supreme Judicial Court should delay the imposition of its decision until the people have a chance to be heard," Romney said at a news conference shortly after last night's vote. Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly, however, said minutes later that he would not take Romney's request to the SJC. Reilly argues that Romney lacks a valid legal basis for a stay, because the SJC has ruled twice in favor of gay marriage.
Boston Globe
On the eve of the Bay State's gay marriage showdown, a Catholic Church-supported lobbying group made a last-ditch plea for a ban by distributing a video that questions the future of civilization if gay unions are approved. The eight-minute video, "Same-sex Unions: Truth and Consequences," claims gay marriage and civil unions would "discriminate against the poor and needy" by diverting money to homosexuals who are "not economically disadvantaged." Excuse me while I polish my Rolex...
Boston Hearald
ABC News
Governor Mitt Romney immediately vowed to ask the court to block gay marriages until voters can decide the fate of the dual proposal in November 2006. "The Supreme Judicial Court should delay the imposition of its decision until the people have a chance to be heard," Romney said at a news conference shortly after last night's vote. Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly, however, said minutes later that he would not take Romney's request to the SJC. Reilly argues that Romney lacks a valid legal basis for a stay, because the SJC has ruled twice in favor of gay marriage.
Boston Globe
On the eve of the Bay State's gay marriage showdown, a Catholic Church-supported lobbying group made a last-ditch plea for a ban by distributing a video that questions the future of civilization if gay unions are approved. The eight-minute video, "Same-sex Unions: Truth and Consequences," claims gay marriage and civil unions would "discriminate against the poor and needy" by diverting money to homosexuals who are "not economically disadvantaged." Excuse me while I polish my Rolex...
Boston Hearald
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