Massachusetts Takes Step Toward Ban on Same-Sex Marriage

NewsMax.com Wires

Monday, March 29, 2004

BOSTON – The Massachusetts Legislature adopted a new version of a constitutional ban on gay marriage Monday, bringing the lengthy process one step closer to completion for the year and eliminating consideration of any other proposed changes to the language.

If endorsed by voters in November 2006, the measure would define marriage as a heterosexual union and simultaneously legalize civil unions.

Monday's swift vote, which appeared to take some lawmakers by surprise, eliminated several other amendments, one of which would have weakened the provision for civil unions and another that would have split the question in two, allowing voters to weigh in separately on gay marriage and civil unions.

The Legislature must still take two more votes before the amendment is considered approved for the session. If that happens, it will then proceed to the 2005-2006 Legislature for further consideration before going to the voters in the fall of 2006.

Under a ruling the state's high court issued in November, the nation's first state-sanctioned gay marriage will take place in Massachusetts on May 17. The constitutional amendment would have no effect on this deadline, but Gov. Mitt Romney has said he might seek a way to delay the marriages if a constitutional amendment is adopted this year by the Legislature.

© 2004 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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