Mass. lawmakers won't ban marriage equalty

Mass. Lawmakers Reject Gay Marriage Ban [157 to 39 ]

By STEVE LeBLANC, Associated Press Writer
Wednesday, September 14, 2005


http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2005/09/14/national/a121444D21.DTL

Copyright©2005 AP

(09-14) 17:45 PDT BOSTON (AP) --
The Massachusetts Legislature rejected a proposed change
to the state constitution Wednesday [ Sept. 14 ] aimed at banning gay marriage,
a striking reversal that preserves the state's status
as the only place in the nation where same-sex couples can wed.


A year after Massachusetts politicians appeared destined to undo a court order
that has allowed thousands of same-sex couples to marry since May 17, 2004,
the Legislature voted 157-39 against the proposed constitutional amendment.


It was the second time the Legislature had confronted the measure.
Lawmakers were required to approve it in two consecutive sessions
before the proposal could move to the statewide ballot in 2006 for a final decision by voters.


The measure, which would have allowed Vermont-style civil unions,
won passage by a 105 - 92 [vote] last year.
But the political and social landscape had changed dramatically since then. [.....]

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