Gay Marriage Foes Sue Mass. Lawmakers Demanding $5 Million

[MooGooGaiPan]

Gay Marriage Foes Sue Mass. Lawmakers Demanding $5 Million
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff


(Boston, Massachusetts) As expected supporters of a proposed constitutional amendment banning same-*** marriage filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday against 10 Massachusetts lawmakers who postponed a decision a the amendment.
The suit was filed in federal court in Boston by VoteOnMarriage an umbrella organization made up of the Roman Catholic Church and some evangelical groups. The organization said Tuesday it would file the lawsuit.
The suit demands $5 million from the legislators and an order from the court that the vote to recess the joint meeting of the House and Senate can be seen as a vote in favor of the amendment.
Gary Buseck, legal director of Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, calls the lawsuit "laughable" and said it was at the "outer limits of plausibility." On November 10 the Legislature, meeting in a special joint session called a Constitutional Convention, to consider the proposed amendment recessed until January 2. (story) January 2 is the final day in the current session and it is expected no vote will be held, effectively killing the measure.
Gov. Mitt Romney, an opponent of same-*** marriage has already taken the delay to the state's highest court.
Last month he sought an order placing a proposed amendment that would ban same-*** marriage on the ballot without the approval of the legislature. The Supreme Judicial Court will hear arguments next week. (story)
Because the Constitutional Convention was recessed and not adjourned it is technically still in session and many legal analysts believe the courts will sidestep the issue until after Jan. 2.
If the convention fails to vote on January 2 supporters of the amendment would have to begin collecting signatures all over again in an attempt to place it before voters in 2010.
Even if the measure were to pass on January 2 it would need a second round of approval in the new session of Legislature - something considered even more unlikely.
VoteOnMarriage collected 170,000 signatures to have the proposed amendment put to lawmakers. Under the Massachusetts constitution only 50 lawmakers - 25 percent of the House and Senate - would have to approve it in two consecutive sessions of the legislature for it to be put to voters
The Supreme Judicial Court ruled in November 2003 that the state could not bar same-*** couples from marrying. Since then, more than 8,000 gay and lesbian couples in the state have wed.

©365Gay.com 2006

[The Voice]

Okay I understand that they want legal action taken on the postponed vote in an effort to stop same-sex marriages ...

But what's the $5 million all about?

I didn't see anything in the article explaining why these people feel entitled to any money, nor does it say who those monies would be going to.

[MooGooGaiPan]

Somewhat perplexing

[twinkle toez]

Originally Posted by MooGooGaiPan

Gay Marriage Foes Sue Mass. Lawmakers Demanding $5 Million
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff


(Boston, Massachusetts) As expected supporters of a proposed constitutional amendment banning same-*** marriage filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday against 10 Massachusetts lawmakers who postponed a decision a the amendment.
The suit was filed in federal court in Boston by VoteOnMarriage an umbrella organization made up of the Roman Catholic Church and some evangelical groups. The organization said Tuesday it would file the lawsuit.
The suit demands $5 million from the legislators and an order from the court that the vote to recess the joint meeting of the House and Senate can be seen as a vote in favor of the amendment.
Gary Buseck, legal director of Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, calls the lawsuit "laughable" and said it was at the "outer limits of plausibility." On November 10 the Legislature, meeting in a special joint session called a Constitutional Convention, to consider the proposed amendment recessed until January 2. (story) January 2 is the final day in the current session and it is expected no vote will be held, effectively killing the measure.
Gov. Mitt Romney, an opponent of same-*** marriage has already taken the delay to the state's highest court.
Last month he sought an order placing a proposed amendment that would ban same-*** marriage on the ballot without the approval of the legislature. The Supreme Judicial Court will hear arguments next week. (story)
Because the Constitutional Convention was recessed and not adjourned it is technically still in session and many legal analysts believe the courts will sidestep the issue until after Jan. 2.
If the convention fails to vote on January 2 supporters of the amendment would have to begin collecting signatures all over again in an attempt to place it before voters in 2010.
Even if the measure were to pass on January 2 it would need a second round of approval in the new session of Legislature - something considered even more unlikely.
VoteOnMarriage collected 170,000 signatures to have the proposed amendment put to lawmakers. Under the Massachusetts constitution only 50 lawmakers - 25 percent of the House and Senate - would have to approve it in two consecutive sessions of the legislature for it to be put to voters
The Supreme Judicial Court ruled in November 2003 that the state could not bar same-*** couples from marrying. Since then, more than 8,000 gay and lesbian couples in the state have wed.

©365Gay.com 2006

im quite used to government bull****
at this stage of my life ahhh you never know!what the hell is next.im from boston (home of tha big dig ) :lol
and i was born on nov.10th

[MooGooGaiPan]

Originally Posted by ***MARK C.***

Originally Posted by ***MARK C.***

LOL, Mark C. !!!