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(Boston, Massachusetts) The Massachusetts legislature will meet
today in a joint
session to consider a measure that would end same-sex marriage in the only state
where they are legal.
The legislature last year rejected a proposed amendment
put forward by lawmakers that would have banned gay marriage but permitted civil
unions.
Following that a conservative group began a
so-called citizens initiative, collecting 120-thousand signatures - almost double
the number of voters needed to force the issue back to the legislature.
A citizen based referendum, the amendment needs
the support of only 50 lawmakers - 25 percent of the House and Senate - in two
constitutional conventions for it to be put to voters in 2008.
The issue was to have been considered in August
but the convention was abruptly adjourned and consideration of the amendment
postponed until after the election.
The Constitutional Convention, as the joint
session is called, is expected to attract thousands of people on both sides of
the marriage argument.
But the session may never get off the
ground.
Opponents of the proposed amendment were tight
lipped Wednesday night about their tactical planning but State House observers
say there are three methods they could employ.
The first would be for a motion to adjourn until
after the new legislature is sworn in in January. If a majority of members
approve it would kill the amendment which has a December expiration date.
It would mean supporters of the
amendment would have to begin collecting signatures all over again.
The second proposal would be a boycott of the
session by enough members to ensure there would not be a quorum. The Convention
needs 101 members to proceed.
The third possibility would be to simply tie up
the session. The proposed amendment is not the
only item on the agenda. A majority of lawmakers could push the issue down
on the agenda and then tie up business on the other measures until the clock
runs out on Thursday's meeting.
If the proposed amendment does make it to a vote
both sides are predicting the outcome will be close. If the measure succeeds it
would need to return for a second vote next year.
Since same-sex marriage became legal in
Massachusetts in May 2004 more than 7,000 gay couples have married.
©365Gay.com 2006
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