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MASS. "compromise" splits voters 47-47

by SaveFreedom @ yahoogroups.com (sfBarea [at] yahoogroups.com)
Massachusetts "compromise" would amend state constitution to legalize same-sex civil unions while banning same-sex marriages. Only 47 percent support it, so far.
acceptance_gays.jpg
Do Massachusetts voters like their proposed "Vermont-style compromise", a state constitutional amendment which would allow same-sex civil unions while banning same-sex marriages?

Not enough to pass it.

Formally, they split 47 percent to 47 percent in a recent poll. However, since this amendment contains two proposals,
47-47 doesn't paint the full picture.

When other questions were asked, pollsters found that 40% positively favor legalizing same-sex marriages. Some of these liberals may vote for the compromise, while some may vote against it.

At the far-right end of the political spectrum, a hard-line 17% oppose not only marriage, but also civil unions. Their position is, "Don't give those perverted sinners a yard, and don't even give them an inch." Some of these extreme reactionaries may vote for the compromise, while some may vote against it.

So, if this compromise amendment actually goes to Mass. voters in 2006, a person's vote may not accurately reflect their opinion -- except for the 28% who really like the compromise.

[For full details, please see Boston Globe, 6 April 2004:
http://www.boston.com/news/specials/gay_marriage/ ]

Similar contradictions, and tricky calculations of tactics and strategy, afflicted state legislators who grudgingly gave narrow initial approval to the amendment, voting 105 to 92. It will need to survive another vote by legislators in 2005, before it can go to voters in 2006 for a final decision. The Massachusetts constitution is, quite wisely, much harder to amend than that of California.

Meanwhile, same-sex marriages might begin in mid-May -- unless the Republican governor can invent some kind of road-block.

If gay weddings happen from spring 2004 thru fall 2006, the straight public may get used to them; as Vermonters have gotten used to civil unions. If so, we can hope that a majority of voters won't see any need to amend their state constitution in November 2006.


-- SaveFreedom [at] yahoogroups.com

..........
P.S.: Meanwhile, here's a list of April events, mainly in CA:




........
The U.S. MARRY-IN of 2004:
upcoming dates to watch out for.

............
APRIL 2004:

*CALIF: SF: 10 April , Sat: drum circle, Hippy Hill, Golden Gate Park, around 3pm. Free.

*CALIF: San Francisco: Monday, 12 April, noon -1pm: MarriageEqualityCA rally, on steps of CA Supreme
Court, 300 McAllister Street (across from SF City Hall): marking one month since high court
ordered SF officials to stop issuing same-sex mariage licenses.

CALIF, southern: West Hollywood: April 12, Monday, 6:30-9:30pm: discuss same-sex marriage:
West Hollywood Park Auditorium, San Vicente Blvd.

USA: April 15: Protest inequality, with signs saying: "NO TAXATION without equal rights!"

CALIF: Oakland: Thursday, 15 April, 5:30pm: MECA Tax Day Protest.
For details, see MECA website: http://www.MarriageEqualityCA.org/home.php
[ Earlier on Tax Day, at 11:30 AM, antiwar protesters gather at Oakland's Federal Building,
1301 Clay St. (near 12th Street BART station): see DASW (http://www.ActAgainstWar.org)
and Northern Calif. War Tax Resistance (http://www.NoWarTax.org) ]

CALIF, southern: Los Angeles area: April 15, Thursday, evening: MECA protest/rally on Tax Day:
"We need to rally in support of marriage equality on this day: No Taxation with Discrimination! ....
We'll be joining other rallies nationwide..... " http://www.MarriageEqualityCA.org/home.php

OREGON: mid-April: Multnomah County: Circuit Judge Frank Bearden may hold a hearing on
ACLU lawsuit about whether Oregon's gender-biased marriage statute violates OR state constitution.
http://www.oregonlive.com/special/gaymarriage/index.ssf?/base/news/1080219374314050.xml

CALIF.: April 21: Hayward (in SF Bay Area): MECA event:
http://www.MarriageEqualityCA.org/home.php

CALIF.: April 21: Los Angeles: MECA event: http://www.MarriageEqualityCA.org/home.php

USA: April 21: national "Day of Silence" for civil rights of LGBTI students. [ http://www.dayofsilence.org ]

OREGON: April 23: Judge Bearden might issue a ruling by this date. His decision will be appealed to higher courts. Appeals process could take years, unless courts expedite.

PENNSYLVANIA: Philadelphia, April 26- May 2: Equality Forum. [http://www.equalityforum.com ]

CALIF: Sacramento: April 29: MECA event at CSU, 6pm-9pm.< http://www.MarriageEqualityCA.org/home.php >

CALIF: Berkeley: _____ : birthday party for People's Park.
......................
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