What will happen in Massachusetts? (Re: Same Sex Marriage)

[Trek234]

Has anyone been following this closely? Can anyone provide some info on what is currently happening?

I have heard the legislature may try to ammend the (state) constitution to prohibit same sex marriage. Can anyone familiar with the state legislature give any commentary on this? Likely to pass or no?

Before that, however, is the court likely to rule in favor of same sex marriage? I have heard they are seriously delaying, and that could be a bad sign.

Anyone who can provide a prediction on what will happen (and what is happening) would be very appreciated!

[dsc]

1. I have no inside info

but I smell a huge fetid rat. I think the Court is giving the legislature time to amend and I think the legislature will amend. Maybe then some of the constant critics of Dean will see that he did this issue right.

[La_Serpiente]

2. GOOD QUESTION

Well, last time I checked, they were supposed to report it in June.

Honestly, I think they are afraid to rule. If they rule, that will just rile up everyone on the planet.

I think the justices are really studying the issue and are trying to justify what ever they believe with what the decision already is. I am assuming they are going to vote yes. However, they are trying to justify it being yes. They just want to be sure.

I am not from Mass., but we did have the same sex debate here in Hawaii. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of a gay couple. However, the legislature passed a referendum law and put it to the voters. The voters were able to choose whether to accept it or not. The voters rejected it.

So the Mass. Legislature is probably going to vote yes. However, the legislature in Mass is now taking it into their own hands and having a serious debate about it in the Legislature. It may pass, it may not, I don't know. I am not familiar with Mass. politics.

[terrya]

4. If the Massachusetts Supreme Court rules in favor,

Expect the White House and the repugs to make the Federal Marriage Amendment top priority, IMO. And I'm not so sure that it won't pass Congress. I think FMA has a chance in both the House and Senate. Sorry to sound alarmnist, but we'd better get our asses into high gear if that happens.

[Trek234]

3. Bump

nt

[Bombtrack]

5. Tom Finneran apposes it and he rules Massachusetts

He's the speaker of the House and he has way more power than the governor Mitt Romney(who also apposes it and civil unions).

I don't know how they could allow it to be legalized.

[Toucano]

6. Here's a link to the status of the case.

http://ma-appellatecourts.org/display_docket.php?dno=SJC-08860

They really seem to be dragging their feet since they heard oral arguments on March 4th.