Massachusetts
lawmakers ended debate on proposed constitutional
amendments Wednesday before dealing with the most volatile
issue on their agenda: a proposal to outlaw same-sex
marriage in the only state where it is legal, the
Associated Press reports. The move to recess until November
9 put off the decision on the politically charged issue
until after the general election.
Senate president
Robert Travaglini had said he intended to bring all 20
proposed amendments to a vote but warned that lawmakers
might not be able to get to every proposed amendment
on Wednesday. The house gallery erupted in applause
from gay-rights activists after the vote to recess was
announced. Opponents condemned lawmakers for postponing
debate.
"It's a real
cop-out," Kris Mineau, president of the Massachusetts
Family Institute, told the AP.
Same-sex marriage
foes had been optimistic they had the votes to move
closer to putting the amendment on the 2008 ballot. If
approved, the amendment would block future same-sex
marriages in Massachusetts. More than 8,000 same-sex
couples have taken vows since gay marriages began in
May 2004.
