Sabocat
12th February 2004, 11:54
A few months ago, the Massachusetts Supreme Court, declared it was unconstitutional to prevent same sex marriges. Since that declaration, the conservatives and the religious right have come out of the woodwork to protest it. Now the ruling is being heavily debated at the State House.
They are actually trying to make a constitutional amendment barring same sex marriages. This will be the first time, that restrictions against a particular group will be placed in the constitution.
If the SJC ruling is defeated, it is a huge win by the highly reactionary Catholic church in Boston. Separation of church and state in Massachusetts will officially be defunct.
Look for this to be a critical topic of debate in the upcoming elections. Kerry has already come out against it. Bush naturally condemns it.
Massachusetts debate on same-sex marriage heats up
Thursday, February 12, 2004 Posted: 7:37 AM EST (1237 GMT)
BOSTON, Massachusetts (CNN) -- Massachusetts lawmakers were expected to convene for a second day on Thursday to decide whether to amend the state constitution and ban same-sex marriages.
The extraordinary constitutional convention began on Wednesday and drew an estimated 3,700 people protesting on both sides of the issue, lining the halls and stairwells of the Statehouse. Hundreds more gathered outside chanting slogans and waving signs. Chants of "Let the people vote" could be heard from people on both sides of the issue.
"Civil unions don't equal civil rights," read one sign. Another said, "Massachusetts for equality."
The move to debate such an amendment to the state constitution comes one week after the state's highest court ruled that same-sex couples were entitled to marriage -- not simply civil unions.
Read the rest..... http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/02/12/.../mass.marriage/ (http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/02/12/mass.marriage/)
They are actually trying to make a constitutional amendment barring same sex marriages. This will be the first time, that restrictions against a particular group will be placed in the constitution.
If the SJC ruling is defeated, it is a huge win by the highly reactionary Catholic church in Boston. Separation of church and state in Massachusetts will officially be defunct.
Look for this to be a critical topic of debate in the upcoming elections. Kerry has already come out against it. Bush naturally condemns it.
Massachusetts debate on same-sex marriage heats up
Thursday, February 12, 2004 Posted: 7:37 AM EST (1237 GMT)
BOSTON, Massachusetts (CNN) -- Massachusetts lawmakers were expected to convene for a second day on Thursday to decide whether to amend the state constitution and ban same-sex marriages.
The extraordinary constitutional convention began on Wednesday and drew an estimated 3,700 people protesting on both sides of the issue, lining the halls and stairwells of the Statehouse. Hundreds more gathered outside chanting slogans and waving signs. Chants of "Let the people vote" could be heard from people on both sides of the issue.
"Civil unions don't equal civil rights," read one sign. Another said, "Massachusetts for equality."
The move to debate such an amendment to the state constitution comes one week after the state's highest court ruled that same-sex couples were entitled to marriage -- not simply civil unions.
Read the rest..... http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/02/12/.../mass.marriage/ (http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/02/12/mass.marriage/)