Massachusetts Democrats Back Gay Marriage Edict

KATV ^ | January 30, 2004

[NYer]

LOWELL, Mass. (AP) - Leaders of the Massachusetts Democratic Party voted to back a resolution supporting same-sex civil marriage, just two weeks before lawmakers are scheduled to decide on a constitutional amendment to ban it.

The nonbinding voice vote Thursday by a majority of approximately 200 members of the state committee ignored deep divisions within the party on the issue.

But state party chairman Philip Johnston said it sends the message that "we support protecting the rights of these individuals, and I think most of the rest of the state will support us."

The committee also unanimously backed a resolution opposing the constitutional amendment and any other attempt to amend the constitution to discriminate against same-sex couples.

Arline Isaacson, co-chairwoman of the Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus, said the vote was a significant move for Democrats, and "doesn't mean all Democrats have to personally like gay marriage, but they should not discriminate."

That amendment would overturn a November high court decision that ruled it unconstitutional to bar gay couples from marriage. The opinion gave the Legislature 180 days to act as it "deems appropriate" before the decision takes effect in May.

Opponents of gay marriage said the Democratic committee's resolution goes against what most Massachusetts voters believe.

"We believe, that again, the Democratic State Committee acted out of step from the voters of Massachusetts," said Ronald A. Crews, a spokesman for the Coalition for Marriage.

[Little Bill]

ping

[NYer]

Opponents of gay marriage said the Democratic committee's resolution goes against what most Massachusetts voters believe.

!!!

[j_tull]

"doesn't mean all Democrats have to personally like gay marriage, but they should not discriminate."

Translation: They should bend over and take it, too!

[Always Right]

This issues is divisive within the Democratic party and uniting within the Republican party. Sounds like a winner to me.

[NYer]

Ping!

[Diogenesis]

The New York Times' Lewis-Gay-MassSJC-ThrottleCitizens Plan continues working

so that the Massachusetts citizens will never ever have say (except to boycott forever the NYTimes' Boston Globe).

[CSM]

Senate bill 521 = Infringement on property rights and personal liberty.

This proposal is claimed to support property rights and personal liberty.

I guess it is OK to allow one destructive behaviour, but you can't have a cig afterwards!

[Preachin']

This is the kind of stuff that makes it impossible for a New England democrat to win in the south.

[little jeremiah]

Homosexual Agenda Ping - the usual suspects.

I like this comment from Diogenesis:

"The New York Times' Lewis-Gay-MassSJC-ThrottleCitizens Plan (LOL!!) continues working so that the Massachusetts citizens will never ever have say (except to boycott forever the NYTimes' Boston Globe)."

If anyone wants on or off this ping list, ping(ify) me! (Start the creative processes - get some ideas, my thread will now start NEXT week, have to be gone all day today and most of tomorrow.)

[Salvation]

Good find, friend.

[inquest]

The nonbinding voice vote Thursday by a majority of approximately 200 members of the state committee ignored deep divisions within the party on the issue.

Interesting that they don't tell us what the percentages were.

[ZULU]

I can see it now:

"Send Kerry to the White House and send gays to the altar!!!"

What a campaign slogan (unfortunately, its not an Aztec altar).