Bev Schwartz’s Marriage Page

I am a firm believer in the right of same-sex couples to marry.

I live in Massachusetts, right now, one of the hot spots for same-sex marriage. In November 2003, the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts ruled that barring same-sex couples from marrying is a violation of the equal protection clause of the Massachusetts Constitution. It gave the legislature 180 days to rectify the situation, and ordered that marriage licenses must be given to same-sex couples that want them after the 180 day period. On May 17, 2004, Massachusetts began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Miriam and I applied for our license on the 17th at Somerville City Hall. It was a very celebratory day! We were legally married on Friday, May 21, 2004.

Same-sex marriage opponents have been trying to amend the Massachusetts Constitution to outlaw same-sex marriage. I have had the good fortune to be able to be at the State House during much of the Constitutional Convention. Here are my reports from the State House:

Where we stand now: A compromise amendment which defines marriage as a union of one man and one woman, as well as defining civil unions for same-sex couples has passed the 2004 session of the Constitutional Convention. The text of this amendment, with no modifications, will be voted on again in the 2005 session of the Constitutional Convention. If the amendment passes, it will go to public vote in Massachusetts in November 2006. This is the text of the 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.

This coming election cycle will be very hot, as each side wants to get people who will vote their way elected. Some legislators that are at particular risk are Senator Brian Joyce from Milton, Senator Marian Walsh from Boston, Representative Barbara A. L’Italien from Andover, and Representative Kathleen M. Teahan from Whitman. All of these legislators are facing fierce and well-funded opponents. Also of interest is Carl Scioritino who is running against Representative Vincent Ciampa of Somerville, an opponent of same-sex marriage, and Angus McQuilken who will try again to win against Senator Scott P. Brown from Wrentham, another same-sex marriage opponent.

If you are a Massachusetts resident, please go to the Mass Equality How did they vote? page and find out how your legislators voted. Please thank those who voted to support marriage for same-sex couples. Please encourage those who voted to put discrimination into the constitution to please reconsider their position. Find out if your legislators have anyone running against them. Please support your legislators if they supported same-sex marriage. If they did not, find out their opponents’ position and consider supporting them. Thank-you.

Here are some useful links:

GLAD: This is the law firm which launched the Massachusetts case.
Mass Equality: This group is the main political lobbying group for same-sex marriage in Massachusetts.
How did they vote?: This is a page from the Mass Equality site. You enter your address, and it will tell you who your State Rep and State Senator are and how they voted on the various anti-same-sex marriage amendments.
The Freedom to Marry Coalition of Massachusetts
The Boston Phoenix: The Boston Phoenix, an alternative weekly paper in Boston, has a hot page dedicated to same-sex marriage. Some of the best articles I have read have been in the Phoenix.
The Massachusetts General Court: More than you ever wanted to know about the Massachusetts legislature.
Election Information: This is a very useful website for Massachusetts residents. You enter your address, and it will give you your election information.
The Same-Sex Marriage List: Information, news, and discussion about the legalization of marriage for same-sex couples is disseminated on this list. Traffic on the list is high.
Freedom to Marry: This is the national umbrella freedom to marry organization, headed by Evan Wolfson.
Religious Support for Equal Marriage Rights
Partners Task Force for Gay & Lesbian Couples: This has lots of interesting essays and links. Very comprehensive.
Same-Sex Marriage in Canada
Vermont Freedom to Marry Task Force
Gay and Lesbian Education and Advocacy Foundation & Hawaii Gay Marriage Bureau: This is Bill Wood’s organization. He is the visionary who started the marriage movement with the Hawai’i marriage case in the early 1990’s.
Separation of Church and State Home Page: This is a fabulous site which gives historical, legal, and political information about separation of church and state. It contains a page with responses to the most important arguments by the religious right.
The Myth of the Separation of Church and State: This is how the religious right frames the separation of church and state argument.

Home Page: http://www.ir.bbn.com/~bschwart
Email: bschwart@bbn.com
This Page: http://www.ir.bbn.com/~bschwart/marriage
Bev‘s Personal Page: http://www.ir.bbn.com/~bschwart/personal.html