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Mass. DA Candidate Signed Antigay Petition


MICHAEL CAHILLANE X390 (HIS SITE) | ADVOCATE.COM

Michael Cahillane, a Democratic district attorney candidate in Massachusetts's Northwestern District, said he regrets signing a 2005 petition to ban marriage equality in the first U.S. state to legalize marriage for gay and lesbian couples.

According to Bay Windows, both the candidate and his wife, Christine, were among the 143,000 signers of the 2005 VoteOnMarriage.org petition. The names were published by KnowThyNeighbor.org in the wake of Doe v. Reed, in which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled it was constitutional to disclose the names of people who signed such petitions. Cahillane affirms that he originally signed the petition "in a spirit of democracy allowing people to vote and place items onto the ballot."

Now Cahillane says it was a bad move: "I regret signing the petition. I have friends and family who it affected deeply. I believe that we’re all individuals entitled to rights and protections, and as district attorney I will [enforce] that." Earlier in the month he told the New Hampshire Gazette that the issue of same-sex marriage was very personal to him.

Tom Lang, founder of KnowThyNeighbor.org, told Bay Windows, "That’s the beauty of having the names out there. People are using these lists as a way to buy their goods and services, or who they’re going to vote for."

Cahillane faces Dave Sullivan, an outspoken supporter of marriage equality, in the Democratic primary September 14. The district, in the western part of Massachusetts, includes Hampshire and Franklin counties, the former being home to the lesbian mecca of Northampton.

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Reader Comments
  • Name: Ryan
    Date posted: 8/14/2010 5:46:26 PM
    Hometown: Boston

    Comment:

    @Rob, you are right that the constitution cannot be amended to overrule a court decision, but it can be amended to change the rights that were the basis for the decision.

  • Name: Dana
    Date posted: 8/14/2010 12:02:35 PM
    Hometown: Leominster

    Comment:

    Why would anybody think it would be a good idea to put human rights of a minority to a vote?

  • Name: Jay
    Date posted: 8/14/2010 9:51:54 AM
    Hometown: Santa Monica

    Comment:

    Rob and CountryBoy: Yes, you can amend the constitution in Massachusetts. Our opponents tried to do that first from within the state legislature and then via petition plus legislature. They came close using the latter method (endorsed by then-Governor Romney), which required more than 100,000 signatures on a petition plus 25% of the combined legislature. They got the sufficient number of signatures, but fell short of the number of legislators. By the time the attempt to amend the constitution to prohibit same-sex marriage, most members of the legislature realized that the sky had not fallen. Plus our most vociferous enemies had been voted out of office. The amendment would also have banned civil unions, which also contributed to its defeat. An earlier attempt in the legislature came closer, but it at least would have permitted civil unions. Now the issue is settled. I don't think Massachusetts would support a referendum on same-sex marriage.

  • Name: CountryBoy
    Date posted: 8/14/2010 8:38:34 AM
    Hometown: MO

    Comment:

    @Joseph in New Jersey. Greetings, Garden State brother! Thanks for your input. I hadn't looked at the issue from that perspective. Amending the state Constitution WOULD allow for a possible rejection of marriage equality. Given how long S-S marriage has been legal in Massachusetts, however, I think this is just hate rhetoric and not likely to get off the ground, politically. That said, you broadened my education on this issue and I thank you! Have a great day!

  • Name: susan beccio
    Date posted: 8/14/2010 5:48:32 AM
    Hometown: rome, italy

    Comment:

    too little too late

  • Name: Rob
    Date posted: 8/14/2010 1:26:53 AM
    Hometown: Hayward

    Comment:

    I'm not sure what the exact purpose of the petition may have been. However I do believe that under the Mass. constitution, an amendment cannot be proposed to overrule a court decision.

  • Name: David in Texas
    Date posted: 8/14/2010 12:37:53 AM
    Hometown: Dallas, Texas

    Comment:

    How sad to see now that he is running for office that he is suddenly regretful of signing a petition that back when signed he had no problem in placing his name.

  • Name: steveMD@
    Date posted: 8/14/2010 12:01:30 AM
    Hometown: Baltimore

    Comment:

    The catholic church of the molestation has apollogized for the endless vile crimes against children. But it has yet to apollogize for the hiding of these endless crimes all over the world. Apologizing would include opening all their records to the state, and supporting a law eliminating statutes of limitations on these crimes. Ain't gonna happen. His apology is not worth the air that moved to convey his words. Beware of wolves in sheepskins, and send this guy back to working at McDonalds where he belongs.

  • Name: Davlin Court
    Date posted: 8/13/2010 10:26:08 PM
    Hometown: Long Beach

    Comment:

    "Im sorry" can be the prelude to Fogiveness, however it does not absolve one of the responsibility of ones errant actions. There is also the matter of restitution. What will be done to make matters right? That's what I want to hear immediately following an "Im sorry" .

  • Name: Scott
    Date posted: 8/13/2010 10:14:14 PM
    Hometown: Portland

    Comment:

    If he thought it was a good idea five years ago to treat gay people like shit, then screw him he can go get a job and forget politics. I'm tired of politicians playing politics with basic constitutional rights. These fuckers who are married and have all the rights available sitting high on their thrones looking down at us deciding were not as good as them. Fuck them, I'm Glad to know who they are so I never vote for them, they are fair weathered friends. They just say what they think will be popular, not what they know is right.



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