Massachusetts Nears Gay Marriage Showdown
Tuesday, 16 July 2002

BOSTON -- Massachusetts Senate President Thomas Birmingham on Monday refused to rule a move preventing a vote on a ballot question that would ban gay marriage.

The Boston Globe reports that as Wednesday's reconvened constitutional convention approaches, Birmingham confirmed he is actively exploring ways to defeat the measure, which he termed "hateful" and "mean-spirited."

Birmingham, who as Senate President controls the agenda at constitutional conventions, in June refused to allow a vote to proceed to the floor, outraging the anti-gay sponsors of the ballot question. Opponents of the marriage ban are reportedly conferring for ways to keep the question from advancing on Wednesday.

"I'm going to do what I can to defeat it," Birmingham told the Globe. "Our options are open."

The measure needs the support of only 25 percent to pass. Given the low threshhold, gay civil rights will lose if the measure comes to a vote and are looking for ways to block it. Such maneuvers infuriate backers of the measure.

"Tom Birmingham is using the constitutional convention, manipulating it and taking advantage of procedure," said James Lafferty of the pro-ban Massachusetts Citizens for Marriage. "The voters deserve the ability to make a choice."

Many state residents disagree. Opponents of the constitutional ban say there are some things that should not be subjected to majority rule. "Civil rights issues should never be put to a popular vote," the Arline Isaacson of Massequality.org, a coalition fighting the initiative. "We should not deny anyone equal protection under the law."