Same-Sex Marriage in Massachusetts “Safe” at Least Until 2012

Yesterday (June 14, 2007), the Massachusetts legislature defeated a measure which would have placed on the ballot a proposed constitutional amendment to define marriage as between a man and a woman.

According to Pam Belluck, Massachusetts Gay Marriage to Remain Legal, NY Times, June 15, 2007:

the legislature voted 151 to 45 against the amendment, which needed 50 favorable votes to come before voters in a referendum in November 2008.

The vote means that opponents would have to start from Square 1 to sponsor a new amendment, which could not get on the ballot before 2012. Massachusetts is the only state where same-sex marriage is legal, although five states allow civil unions or the equivalent.