(Mass. Attorney General) Coakley affirms support for protecting right to gay marriage

[Zenlitened]

Source: The Boston Globe

Coakley affirms support for protecting right to gay marriage

By Megan Woolhouse, Globe staff
Friday, May 11, 2007

CAMBRIDGE -- Attorney General Martha Coakley said Friday night that if Massachusetts voters were to approve a ban on same-sex marriages, she would back any efforts to challenge the measure on constitutional grounds.

A constitutional ban could go on the ballot in November 2008 if it receives a second vote of approval from the Legislature.

"I think we can easily anticipate that if the proposed amendment was successful, there would be protracted, hard-fought litigation about the constitutionality of such a provision," she said in a speech at the annual dinner of the Massachusetts Lesbian & Gay Bar Association. "If that battle is necessary, you have my support."

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"The institution of marriage is alive and well in the Commonwealth," she said, adding that more than 8,500 same-sex couples have married in the state. "It has been made more inclusive. I think a seamless integration of an ancient institution with the modern but welcome recognition of the reality of the diversity of sexual orientation, has made our state stronger."

Read more: http://www.boston.com/news/globe/city_region/breaking_news/2007/05/coakley_affirms.html