Mass. Gay Marriage Ban Defeated

BOSTON, MA -- After less than two hours of debate, a joint session of the House and Senate of Massachusetts voted 157-39 against a proposed constitutional amendment that sought to ban gay marriage but legalize civil unions in the state.

It was the second time the measure has been voted on by the Legislature because Massachusetts state law required the measure to be approved twice in two consecutive sessions before it could move forward. The measure was approved during the last session.

"Gay marriage has begun, and life has not changed for the citizens of the commonwealth, with the exception of those who can now marry," said state Sen. Brian Lees, R-East Longmeadow. "This amendment which was an appropriate measure or compromise a year ago, is no longer, I feel, a compromise today."

Another measure is in the works from the gay-marriage opponents, though. This measure would be even stricter than the last one, banning both gay marriage and civil unions. The ultra-conservative Massachusetts Family Institute has already started gathering the more than 65,000 signatures necessary to place the amendment on the 2008 ballot.

More than 6,100 gay couples have married since it was legalized in May 2004.