As the new sheriff in town, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick isn't wasting any time in taking a stand against traditional marriage. On Friday, he ordered the state to officially record the marriages of 26 out-of-state homosexual couples, reversing a decision by his predecessor, Mitt Romney.
Patrick also is seeking to reverse stem-cell research restrictions implemented by Romney, which ban the creation of embryos for the sole purpose of research.
In March 2006, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that Romney could rely on a 1913 state law to prohibit out-of-state homosexual couples from marrying.
"Governor Patrick is placing his personal preference above the law, and that can never be justified, especially as the state's highest constitutional officer," Kris Mineau, president of the Massachusetts Family Institute and spokesman for VoteOnMarriage.org, said in a statement.
Messages left at the governor's office were not returned
Lisa Barstow, spokeswoman for the Massachusetts Family Institute and VoteOnMarriage.org, said Patrick's move was largely symbolic -- it doesn't affect the legal status of the marriages.
"He is a strong proponent of same-sex marriage and basically a strong opponent of the marriage amendment and citizens' right to vote," Barstow said. "He'll use any available means of persuasion to advocate for same-sex marriage."
Jenny Tyree, associate marriage analyst for Focus on the Family Action, said, "Homosexual activists continue to grasp at anything and everything to punch another hole in marriage in Massachusetts. If twisting the law will help them in their quest to redefine marriage, they are willing to do that and more."
A state amendment to protect traditional marriage could come up for a vote before a joint session of the Legislature as early as May. If it passes, it would hit the ballot in the fall of 2008.
About 8,000 homosexual couples have wed in Massachusetts since 2004, when it became legal.
Tyree said Patrick's actions could affect the entire nation.
"This will encourage homosexuals to make the trip to Massachusetts and attempt to force the issue back in their home states," she said. "And it is likely that they will be supported financially by larger groups who share their goal of redefining marriage for all of society."
TAKE ACTION
Urge Gov. Deval Patrick to honor Massachusetts law and not allow out-of-state gay couples to marry. Visit http://www.Mass.gov and click on "Contact us" to send him a message.
(Paid for by Focus on the Family Action)
