Monday, March 29, 2004

Strike 1

Posted on 3/29/2004 07:55:00 PMby
Well in a 105 to 92 vote, the Massachusetts legislature has decided to pass to the 2005 Constitutional Convention the Travaglini-Lees amendment. I've put the text of the amendment into the extended portion of the entry.

The thing to remember is that on May 17th full marriage will be legal. Also we have 2 years and 2 more votes to change people's minds. Strike 2 and 3 if you will.

Finally the important thing to remember is that at the very worst, this amendment provides for Civil Unions that are Civil Marriage minus the name and federal benefits. Thats a lot more than we had a year ago. And as they always say, reach for the moon and if you miss you'll at least be among the stars.

Overall I'm positive about the direction this is going and that in the end history has proved that progress always prevails.

Text of the Travaglini-Lees amendment:

"The unified purpose of this Article is both to define the institution of civil marriage and to establish civil unions to provide same-sex persons with entirely the same benefits, protections, rights, privileges and obligations as are afforded to married persons, while recognizing that under present federal law same-sex persons in civil unions will be denied federal benefits available to married persons.

"It being the public policy of this commonwealth to protect the unique relationship of marriage, only the union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in the commonwealth. Two persons of the same sex shall have the right to form a civil union if they otherwise meet the requirements set forth by law for marriage. Civil unions for same sex persons are established by this Article and shall provide entirely the same benefits, protections, rights, privileges and obligations that are afforded to persons married under the law of the commonwealth. All laws applicable to marriage shall also apply to civil unions.

"This Article is self-executing, but the general court may enact laws not inconsistent with anything herein contained to carry out the purpose of this Article."