BS: Massachusetts Votes for Equality!

Subject: BS: Massachusetts Votes for Equality!
From: Amos
Date: 15 Jun 07 - 10:50 PM

Right of gays to marry set for years to come
Vote keeps proposed ban off 2008 state ballot
By Frank Phillips and Andrea Estes, Globe Staff | June 15, 2007
The Legislature, in a vote as swift as it was historic, reaffirmed the state's first-in-the-nation same-sex marriage ruling yesterday, unequivocally protecting the rights of gays and lesbians to wed in Massachusetts until at least 2012.

The vote followed 3 1/2 years of fierce arguments, emotional testimonies, and controversial legal decisions. It came on a day filled with cheering and jeering in the streets of Beacon Hill.

But when the hour arrived, there was neither debate nor delay. In a packed chamber, first senators and then House members cast their votes to reject a constitutional amendment that would have defined marriage in Massachusetts as only a union between a man and a woman.

In the end, the proposed ban garnered only 45 votes, five short of what it needed to qualify for the 2008 statewide ballot and 17 fewer than it won during its first trip through the Legislature less than six months ago.

"In Massachusetts today, the freedom to marry is secure," Governor Deval Patrick told a cheering crowd of gay-marriage advocates after the results of the Constitutional Convention were announced. "Today's vote is not just a vote for marriage equality. It was a vote for equality itself."

Subject: RE: BS: Massachusetts Votes for Equality!
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 15 Jun 07 - 11:47 PM

Massachusetts has discovered that the world hasn't ended with the establishment of equal marriage rights, and that, in fact, the right of two men or two women who love one another to marry has nothing whatsoever to do with any heterosexual couple. The only improvement on this would be a repeal of the state law prohibiting out of state couples to marry if those marriages would not be recognized in another state - a racist legacy from half a century ago.

I could say more, but I've said it better elsewhere. If you're interested in one person's thoughts on marriage equality, you could read this oldsermon I preached on the Freedom to Love. (Don't worry, I would never proselytize on the Mudcat. It's just the best I've ever been able to state why equal marriage rights should be extended, regardless of sexual orientation. The close of it even got published in a recent book of readings on marriage.)

Equal rights are extremely important to me - I've seen too many people hurt because of bigotry against same sex couples.

Dan Schatz

Subject: RE: BS: Massachusetts Votes for Equality!
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Jun 07 - 01:19 AM

Dan, thank you so much for that link. So very well said. I am forwarding the link to many of my lesbigay friends and family, as well as my daughter who is in an interracial marriage. I know my friends in WY will be esp. heartened to read your words of compassion.

It is a fine day in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Long may it be so!

Thanks, Amos.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Massachusetts Votes for Equality!
From: jacqui.c
Date: 16 Jun 07 - 06:27 AM

Quite so Dan. Thanks for putting it so eloquently.

Subject: RE: BS: Massachusetts Votes for Equality!
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 16 Jun 07 - 07:00 AM

Outstanding! Speaking as one who has "two mommies" (although the second one came rather later in life) I can say that this is one of the best writings I've seen on the subject. Thanks, Dan!

Subject: RE: BS: Massachusetts Votes for Equality!
From: kendall
Date: 16 Jun 07 - 07:26 PM

No one had the right to tell me who I could marry. Why in God's name do some people think they have that right?

The anti gay types always cring when I ask them these questions:
"What difference does it make to you, personally.
"?How does it threaten Traditional unions?
And, why do you control freaks always dwell on the physical aspect of gay unions? Is that all there is to YOUR marriage.?

Subject: RE: BS: Massachusetts Votes for Equality!
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 16 Jun 07 - 08:46 PM

Colombia to recognize gay rights

First for Latin America affects health, social security and even inheritance

The Associated Press
Updated: 3:42 p.m. CT June 15, 2007

BOGOTA, Colombia - Colombia is set to become the first Latin American country to give established gay couples full rights to health insurance, inheritance and social security under a bill passed by its Congress.

The plan approved Thursday is expected to take effect soon. It is backed by President Alvaro Uribe.

The measure would allow gay couples in long-term relationships to have the same health insurance and social security benefits as heterosexual couples. It also guarantees that assets accumulated during the relationship will be divided between the two, and in the case of death, inherited by the survivor.

... ...

While homosexuality is still taboo in much of Latin America, there has been increasing acceptance in many areas. Mexico City and the state of Coahuila recently joined the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires and the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul in legalizing same-sex civil unions.

(A little more at the link.)

Not quite acceptance of single-sex marriage, but a hopeful sign.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Massachusetts Votes for Equality!
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 16 Jun 07 - 08:53 PM

Glad you folks enjoyed the link. I'm even more glad that more and more people are coming to their senses. Kendall said it perfectly.

Dan Schatz