Mass. Dem Leaders Back Non-Binding Same-Sex Marriage Resolution
Friday, January 30, 2004
LOWELL, Mass. — 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 (search) 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 (search), 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."
The state committee's resolution is at odds with some of the party's leadership, including House Speaker Thomas M. Finneran (search), who supports a constitutional amendment that would define marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
That amendment would overturn a November high court decision that ruled it was 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.
Friday, January 30, 2004
LOWELL, Mass. — 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 (search) 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 (search), 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."
The state committee's resolution is at odds with some of the party's leadership, including House Speaker Thomas M. Finneran (search), who supports a constitutional amendment that would define marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
That amendment would overturn a November high court decision that ruled it was 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.
