What is the latest on gay marriage in Massachusetts?

[Eric J in MN]

Does it look like MA citizens will vote on whether to pass a Constitutional amendment against it?

[rox63]

1. I don't think it will come to that

The legislature got even more liberal in the last election. (Dems picked up 4 seats), and the new Speaker of the House is gay-friendly. Also, quite a few straight people here have realized that the thousands of same-sex marriages that have taken place since last May have had zero effect on their lives. According to a recent poll conducted by UMass, over 50% of those polled say they would vote against a ban.

[WindRavenX]

2. well, we haven't been turned into a sea of fire

So, pretty good :)

[TaleWgnDg]

3. Take a look here for the history . . .

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Take a look here for the history . . .
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=158x2626

Give that DU thread a *kick* to boost the thread to the top . . .

As well as in the past few weeks the Massachusetts Senate President Robert E. Travaglini has stated he wants to push this matter to the "end of this legislative session" . . . good news. The Massachusetts Senate President convenes and presides over a Massachusetts state Constitutional Convention.

Now, let's keep their feet to the fire. Let's tell them not to convene a Massachusetts Constitutional Convention! Send more emailings, more snail-mail, more FAXs, and more telephone calls . . . keep our Massachusetts legislators fully aware that Massachusetts wants no discrimination in our state constitution. Contact information and links are in that above DU thread . . .

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[Lexingtonian]

4. looks OK

The frontrunning Democratic candidate for governor, Tom Reilly, who is Attorney General, has decided to be in favor of it. He hasn't quite convinced himself of the pro-marriage argument, but he's sure now that it causes no detriment to anyone and is a pretty good thing for those who do choose to marry so. That's not important by itself, but it's telling- he's like a lot of average people in the state.

The state legislature is putting off its final vote on the proposed constitutional amendment to the very end of the legislative session schedule- into the fall. Basically they're waiting out any further change in public opinion. Right now polling says 42% favor gay marriage legalization, 35% are against it, 23% are Undecided...which is within margin of error exactly the liberal/conservative/swing voter (44-32-24) split in the state. But 52% say they don't want to see it put up to a vote in any form. The state legislature is obviously hoping the numbers continue to move so that it's all moot by October or November- say, 48% in favor/20% Undecided and 60% not wanting to have a referendum on it.

All the federal court challenges are finished and rejected. There is perhaps one more special appeal to the state Supreme Judicial Court in the making, but it's unlikely to do anything. If Bob Travaglini doesn't call a Constitutional Convention session of the legislature late in the year, which is fairly likely, the anti effort is dead in the state.

In further progress, the first hearings and pleadings in Cote-Whitacre et al v DPH are scheduled for about a month from now.