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Pastoral Letter Calls Same-Sex Marriages a 'National Tragedy' Poll: Two Thirds of State's Electorate Supports Court Decision |
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Reactions to the letter varied among both priests and parishioners. While some churches had the letter read from the pulpit, others left it at the back of the church for church-goers to read at their discretion. Meanwhile, Massachusetts gay activists thus far have been successful in halting momentum for a proposed law that calls for a constitutional amendment opposing same-sex marriages in the state. The bill would need to be passed by two successive legislatures and then the amendment would need to be ratified by voters in order to take effect. Gay activists are hoping, at a minimum, to stall the amendment until 2006 to give Bay State residents enough time to see that gay marriages will do no harm in the state, as critics suggest. The Globe reported December 1 that a poll suggests opponents of the anti-gay amendment outnumber supporters by a 2-to-1 margin. Having said this, the article also notes that the Supreme Judicial Court ruling has set off fierce debate, which is expected to gain momentum on both ends as a February 11 state Constitutional Convention to address the issue draws closer. Democratic State Representative Philip Travis, the bill's primary sponsor, has vowed to make the anti-gay bill a top priority, stating, "This is the most important vote I will participate in my 21 years in the State House." Many lawmakers are calling for a bill that would give gay couples marriage-like benefits under a name other than marriage, similar to what happened in Vermont when that state passed its historic "civil unions" law in 1999. But gay activists say such a bill would not live up to the Supreme Judicial Court's ruling that called for nothing less than marriage. Gay activists note that having access to the institution and word "marriage" itself is the only way gay couples are guaranteed the full range of benefits that come with the institution, and the word "marriage" would leave no question to anyone what rights and responsibilities the gay couples possess. While the activists currently appear to have enough support to block an anti-gay bill, they fear that support may dwindle if the anti-bill is amended so that it does not block civil union benefits. "Legislators do not want a constitutional amendment that would prohibit civil unions, but that's about it," Arline Isaacson, co-chair of the Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus and a State House lobbyist, told the Globe. Between now and February 11, lobbying efforts on both ends are reaching new heights, with Catholic leaders leading the anti-gay efforts. The church's lobby arm, The Massachusetts Catholic Conference, reportedly has requested several legislators to meet with them to discuss the issue. With the Constitutional Convention coming just three days before February 14, gay couples may have more reason to celebrate on Valentine's Day or, on the other hand, may face a prolonged battle for full equality. |
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Boston Archbishop Sean P. O'Malley is leading the effort to halt the legalization of gay marriages in Massachusetts