Massachusetts legislature will take up gay marriage amendment next month

The Massachusetts legislature suspended debate on a proposed gay marriage ban after two days of tense negotiations, the slim defeat of three amendments, and an angry late-evening walkout by dozens of lawmakers chanting, "We want a vote." The constitutional convention will resume March 11, when lawmakers will again grapple with the divisive issue. Under a ruling by the state's highest court issued in November, the nation's first state-sanctioned gay marriages are scheduled to begin taking place across the state May 17. "It has been a struggle for the members, as it is for every citizen," said house speaker Thomas Finneran, a Democrat and an ardent opponent of gay marriage. "No one should expect that decisions of this magnitude would be made casually or quickly. Our efforts will continue." The adjournment was seen as a victory for gay rights advocates, who stood vigil outside the house chamber for hours, singing and cheering. "It's so clear that the legislators need time to think. It's so clear that they're exhausted, they're confused about the amendments, they're uncertain about the issues, and they're desperately asking time to sort this out," said Arline Isaacson, co-leader of the Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus. "The democratic process has been stymied," said Gerald D'Avolio, executive director of the Massachusetts Catholic Conference. "The people at this point have no way to respond to the [court] decision. We had a lot of people who wanted this legislature, this convention, to give them something to vote on, and that was marriage between a man and a woman." The issue of gay marriage is one of the most divisive in the United States. Only Vermont recognizes same-sex civil unions--a legal designation that confers all the state-level rights and benefits of marriage. In Massachusetts, the supreme judicial court in November ruled it unconstitutional to ban gay marriage. Opponents have said they will seek to block gay marriages, when they become legal in mid May. If gay marriage takes place in Massachusetts, federal lawsuits would likely ensue as gay couples seek recognition in other states and by the federal government. While state marriages are normally respected in other jurisdictions, 39 states and the federal government have approved laws or amendments banning the recognition of gay marriage. The Massachusetts legislature's decision to adjourn at midnight came after more than 17 hours of debate and negotiations over two days that saw three attempts to ban gay marriage voted down. Debate was suspended amid discussion of a fourth attempt at compromise--a measure sponsored by bipartisan house and senate leaders that would have banned gay marriage but adopted civil unions similar to those in Vermont. Any constitutional amendment must survive a series of votes during this legislative session, and more hurdles in the next two years, before getting to the ballot in November 2006. Sen. Jarrett Barrios, an openly gay lawmaker, choked back tears when he spoke about how an amendment would affect his family. The Democrat and his partner of 10 years have two adopted sons, ages 12 and 7. "Don't believe those who tell you that just defining marriage between a man and a woman will not hurt your gay and lesbian friends, your family members, your neighbors, and your colleagues, because it will," Barrios said.