DiMasi sees defeat of (proposed) ban on gay marriage (Mass.)

[Lexingtonian]

DiMasi sees defeat of ban on gay marriage
Amendment losing votes, lawmakers say

By Scott Helman, Globe Staff  |  August 26, 2005

MALDEN -- House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi predicted yesterday that next month the Legislature will reject a proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage and allow civil unions, the strongest signal yet that the compromise given preliminary approval by lawmakers last year is headed for defeat.

''Everybody anticipates that there won't be enough votes to pass this," DiMasi, a supporter of same-sex marriage, said in an interview. ''That seems to be pretty clear."

The compromise amendment, sponsored by Senate President Robert E. Travaglini and Senate minority leader Brian P. Lees, has lost support since its narrow passage in March 2004. Legislative elections last fall added more gay-marriage supporters to Beacon Hill, and some conservative lawmakers have abandoned the amendment in favor of a separate ballot measure aimed for 2008 that would outlaw gay marriage but not allow civil unions.

The House speaker's remarks reflect a growing consensus that the amendment will not have the votes to pass when the Legislature meets in a Constitutional Convention Sept. 14. The amendment must clear the Legislature to be placed on the 2006 ballot.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2005/08/26/dimasi_sees_defeat_of_ban_on_gay_marriage/

[William769]

1. This is great news

We haven't seen that type of news lately.

[MADem]

2. It would be VERY interesting if someone could compile

...an assessment of the amount of REVENUE earned by Massachusetts since the law changed. I imagine that all of the parties, catering, travel, hall and clothing rental, and so on has made not a small dent in the MA economy.

Even the rightwingers like REVENUE...it's what they live for!