Same-Sex Marriage Ban on Hold Once Again

In a move that was not unexpected, Massachusetts lawmaker's sidestepped the same-sex marriage amendment by adjourning the convention early. Senate President Therese Murray (D) banged down her gavel and ended the Constitutional Convention quickly. The end to the convention ended the second phase needed to move the proposed ban on same-sex marriage any further.

Exactly how long did the session last? Sources are saying less than a minute (365gay.com). The Constitutional Convention will not reconvene before mid June. The proposed amendment has been side stepped twice before this. If the convention had adjourned in January before voting, the conservative groups that started the signature campaign would have had to try again, this time placing the proposed amendment (if approved) before voters in 2010. The groups that began the campaign collected about 120-thousand signatures.

The debate in January was both emotional, and at times angry. Supporters of the amendment said that citizens have the right to choose whether or not same-sex marriages in the state will end. A measure to void all same-sex marriages to date (at the time of the first convention) was shot down with a 196-0 vote. Before anything more could be voted on, the meeting was adjourned leaving the proposed amendment on the table.

Members have suggested that the state budget be dealt with before a proposed amendment banning same-sex marriage is dealt with. If the amendment is ever approved, it will be placed before voters in 2008.

The convention was brought about by a signature getting campaign by conservative groups that wanted to place the amendment on same-sex marriage before the voters in the only state that allows it, Massachusetts. More than the required amount of names was received, sending this citizen based ban to what is known as Constitutional Convention.

Senate President Therese Murray (D) opposes the amendment but says she will not use her power to prevent a vote, but is more than willing to work with gay and lesbian civil rights groups to help defeat the measure if possible. Murray is the one that adjourned the convention today before the proposed ban could be talked about.

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Trans advocates are tired of the uncertainty and want the issue dealt with, but they'd like their rights to remain. Conservatives, would also like to the issue to be dealt with promptly, but they would like to see it done in their favor.