THE MESSAGE

Legislators Taking a Stand for Families

Last Thursday, over three-fourths of the entire Massachusetts legislature took a stand to protect families in their state; 151 of 200 state legislators voted in favor of fairness and equality for same-sex couples and their families.

This vote is important not only because it protects families in Massachusetts, but because it shows that the legislature, along with the court and popular opinion, has grown in acceptance of marriage equality over the three years it has existed in Massachusetts.

• We now have marriage equality in Massachusetts by democratic vote.While the state Supreme Court played a necessary role in breaking the ice with the Goodridge decision,it is now by democratic vote that we have marriage. Through the actions of the Massachusetts legislature last week, the people's representatives have spoken.

The Report 1324 Reasons for Marriage Equality in New York State (The New York City Bar Association and the Pride Agenda Foundation)	The Resource Marriage Makes a Word of Difference Evan Wolfson
The Number 76%, the percentage of Massachusetts legislators who voted to support marriage equality last week.	The Map 2007 Proposed And Defeated/Blocked Anti-Marriage/Relationship Recognition State Constitutional Amendments

THE SPOTLIGHT: Changing Hearts and Minds

Following last week’s victory in Massachusetts for marriage equality, the Boston Globe reported on the key ingredient which changed nine legislators’ votes: “The lawmakers spent hours, even days at a time during the last five months, meeting gay couples and their friends and relatives. Their personal stories made the difference more than anything else, the lawmakers said.”

Thanks to the amazing work of MassEquality, GLAD, political leaders and allies in Massachusetts, and national organizations and funders and many around the country, state legislators were given the information and time needed to change their hearts and minds in order to protect the constitutional promise of equality for couples and families throughout Massachusetts.

Armed with a recipe for success, we now turn our efforts to winning equality in other states. With court cases pending in California, Connecticut, Maryland, and Iowa, and the New York State Assembly preparing for an eminent vote on ending discrimination in marriage, it falls to each of us to continue to educate people about the need to stop excluding same-sex couples and their families from the protections and responsibilities of marriage.

THE NEWS

For the latest news, opinions, and polls, including these articles, check out our website.

National

Marking the Loving Anniversary
Bay Area Reporter; June 14, 2007
On Tuesday, June 12, civil rights groups celebrated the 40th anniversary of the historic U.S. Supreme Court decision of Loving v. Virginia, which struck down the last remaining state laws banning interracial marriage, and Mildred Loving herself, in a rare public statement she sent for the event, said, "I believe that all Americans, no matter their race, no matter their sex, no matter their sexual orientation, should have that same freedom to marry."

Loving Equality
The Huffington Post; June 12, 2007
Evan Wolfson and Bernard S. Cohen write movingly about Loving v. Virginia as a milestone in racial equality, an important vindication of marriage as a cherished civil right, and a testament to the importance of fighting for equality, rather than sitting by silently, indifferently, or complacently in the face of cruel exclusion.

Regional

Bay State Stands Tall
Hartford Courant; June 18, 2007
Fairness has trumped fear in Massachusetts.

One Lawmaker Who Changed her Vote on Marriage Equality
Boston Globe; June 14, 2007
"I have been most impressed by the number of individuals who have called me and asked me to change my vote because they have changed their minds."