Victory for same-sex marriage advocates

National Catholic Reporter, July 6, 2007 by Chuck Colbert

After more than five years of contentious debate over the definition of marriage in Massachusetts, lawmakers handed same-sex marriage advocates a victory June 14 by defeating an amendment that would have rolled back civil-marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples.

On Jan. 2, the marriage amendment garnered the support of 62 lawmakers. But this time the vote was 45-151, falling short of the 50 necessary to advance the measure to voters in November 2008. Two consecutive sessions of the Legislature must approve ballot measures before the voters have their say.

"Marriage is secure in Massachusetts," said attorney Mary Bonauto, civil rights project director at Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders.

Bonauto argued the Goodridge v. Department of Public Health case before the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts. On Nov. 18, 2003, the court found no "rational basis" to exclude gay and lesbian couples from the responsibilities, benefits and duties of civil marriage.

Heading into the June 14 vote, MassEquality.org, a coalition of groups formed to preserve same-sex marriage, and the Massachusetts Gay & Lesbian Political Caucus stepped up their activities, lobbying lawmakers and sponsoring TV commercials.

Kris Mineau, spokesperson for VoteOnMarriage.org and the Massachusetts Family Institute, two groups that supported the ballot measure, said he was "disappointed" with the vote, but added, "This is not the end.... We've been here for 16 years and we are going to continue to promote traditional family values with marriage as the No. 1 issue."

The Catholic hierarchy, along with its lobbying arm, the Massachusetts Catholic Conference, and other lay Catholic groups have been outspoken against gay marriage. Throughout the amendment campaign, Boston Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley appeared at several high-profile rallies and news conferences, speaking out against "unelected judges" who redefined marriage without the people's consent.

Catholic Conference executive director Ed Saunders said that his organization was assessing what to do next. He attributed the setback to "extreme pressure" put on state lawmakers by gay marriage backers.

Nearly 50 percent of the population of Massachusetts identifies as Catholic. Yet more and more Catholic lawmakers and citizens have come to view same-sex marriage as no threat to the Commonwealth, according to Holly Gunner, an ACLU representative on the MassEquality board. Catholic legislators who voted against the marriage amendment, she said, "had a struggle of conscience."

"They are people of strong faith who cared that they act in ways that are moral and just," she said. The amendment was defeated in part because some lawmakers who had previously supported it changed their minds. A case in point is Rep. Paul Kujawski, D-Worcester, who said, "What moved me was person after person who told the same story, but not in exactly the same words, that 'I didn't ask to be born this way.'"

Kujawski, a Catholic, said two priests and two eucharistic ministers spoke with him, making arguments against the marriage amendment. His wife and two sons also urged him to vote it down.

He explained during a telephone interview that painful stories of parental rejection, embarrassment, and even outright ostracism of a gay or lesbian family members affected his decision. Individuals spoke about having to move away from home, finding full acceptance only from their life partners, he recalled. For Kujawski, voting against the marriage amendment means same-sex couples "are able live with dignity and happiness."

By CHUCK COLBERT

Boston

[Chuck Colbert is a Massachusetts-based freelance writer.]