Mass. Senate Votes To Repeal Out-Of-State Gay Marriage Ban

Mass. Senate Votes To Repeal Out-Of-State Gay Marriage Ban
by Michael J. Meade
365Gay.com Newscenter
Boston Bureau


Posted: May 19, 2004 5:03 pm. ET

(Boston, Massachusetts) The Massachusetts Senate voted Wednesday to repeal a 1913 law that Gov. Mitt Romney is using to stop same-sex couples from outside the state from marrying.

The overwhelming vote by the Democratic controlled Senate is a slap in the face to the Republican Governor, but it may not make it through the House, and even if it does, Romney has vowed he will veto it.

The law dates back to a period when interracial marriage was legal in Massachusetts but illegal in most other states.

This week same-sex couples began to get the first legally sanctioned marriage licenses in the country but Romney has warned that out-of-state couples cannot marry in the state.

In April Romney sent a letter to all governors and attorneys general advising them that unless they notify him gay marriage is legal in their states same-sex couples would not be allowed to tie the knot. (story)

Yesterday, the governor ordered four cities, including Provincetown, that refused to abide by his directive not to issue licenses to out-of-state gay couples to submit copies of all marriage license applications. (story)

The measure to rescind the 1913 law was tacked onto the Senate's version of the state budget. Only three senators voted against it.

But, the action is expected to face a showdown in the House. Thomas Finneran the powerful Democratic speaker of the House and a foe of gay marriage said he would strike the repeal measure from the budget when it goes to committee.

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