Last week the Massachusetts Legislature voted to uphold gay marriage, defeating the attempt by a minority of small minded bigots to amend our constitution. Massachusetts has a fairly complex process to get an amendment on a ballot. First the citizenry must raise a petition with 3% of the registered voters (in the 100k-120k range) signing it. Then it must pass through two constitutional conventions with at least 1/4 of the legislature (50 people) supporting it. Then it goes on the ballot, and if passed, an amendment to the state constitution is passed.
While the naysayers will whine that they didn't get a chance to vote, allow me to explain why it's fair.
1-The ballot initiative raised enough signatures through devious means. It was made public a while ago that there were people in Harvard Square telling people that they were signing initiatives for other measures like ending dog racing.
2-Each election cycle Massachusetts residents have made a point of getting rid of anti-gay marriage representatives. For all intents and purposes the Republican party is dead in the state.
3-More than 75% of residents polled recently support gay marriage
4-The anti-marriage proponents had their chance, the process was followed, and the measure was killed. Suck it up and move on, peoples.
John Adams wrote the Massachusetts State Constitution with broad strokes to ensure equal protection under the law for all. It led to early elimination of slavery, voting rights for women, and has consistently protected the civil rights of the underclasses.
Gay marriage has been legal here for 3 years. Massachusetts still has one of the lowest (the lowest, actually, I believe) divorce rates in the country. Straight marriage endures. I'm proud to say that Gay marriage does, too.
If I was American, this would be the state for me.
Posted by: The Man With Secrets | June 23, 2007 at 12:39 PM
Never have I been more proud to be a citizen of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
I am a 38 year old father of four married to a woman. My marriage is not threatened...nor is any anyone else!!
Great blog!!!
Robert
Posted by: Rob | June 23, 2007 at 09:01 PM