Massachusetts considers civil unions legislation

Leaders of the Massachusetts state senate are preparing legislation to legalize same-sex civil unions, The Boston Globe reports. The move, by senate president Robert E. Travaglini and his top lieutenants, comes as the state's supreme judicial court is set to issue a ruling on whether gay marriage should be legalized. Many experts believe the court will rule in favor of legal recognition of gay relationships. Travaglini told the Globe that he is committed to bringing the civil unions legislation to the floor but that he will wait until after the court issues its ruling. "Being an advocate of civil rights and an advocate of fairness and having supported domestic partnerships 20 years ago, it's just a natural progression for me," he said about his support of civil unions. "I understand the concept of fairness and will be supportive of it." Although supportive of civil unions, Travaglini, a Roman Catholic, said he opposes legalizing gay marriage. House speaker Thomas M. Finneran and Gov. Mitt Romney, meanwhile, oppose both civil unions and gay marriage.