Voters in Massachusetts will not get to weigh in on gay marriage for at least five years — thanks to a dozen lawmakers who switched their votes and decided the people should not have a voice in the matter.
A proposed constitutional amendment to define marriage as between one man and one woman was defeated 45-151 today by a joint session of the Legislature, eliminating any chance of getting it on the ballot in 2008.
"For all the believers out there who are utterly devastated by what transpired today in the Massachusetts Legislature, I want you to think about the old sermon — "It’s Friday, But Sunday’s Comin'," said Mona Passignano, state issues analyst for Focus on the Family Action. "When everything seems lost, and your opponents are strutting around rejoicing, remember – it’s only Friday, Sunday is coming."
At least 50 votes were needed to advance the measure. In the last session, 62 lawmakers voted to let the people decide. In recent weeks, supporters of traditional marriage thought they had secured 57 votes.
Today's vote came after House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, Senate President Therese Murray and Gov. Deval Patrick, all Democrats and supporters of the gay agenda, spent the last several days and weeks intensely lobbying lawmakers to vote with them.
"The Marriage Amendment won its first legislative vote and was on track to win its second with a healthy margin," Kris Mineau, president of the Massachusetts Family Institute, said in a statement. "The unprecedented pressure by leaders on Beacon Hill … derailed the largest initiative petition drive by citizens in the Commonwealth's history.
"God is still in control," he told Family News in Focus. "Though the fig tree does not blossom, though there be no fruit on the vine, we’re going to press on."
Allegations of bribery by the governor and arm-twisting by the House speaker as a means of pressuring legislators to switch their vote have been reported widely in the press in recent weeks.
"We will look very closely at the circumstances by which legislators switched their vote for ethics violations or improprieties," Mineau said.
Former Gov. Mitt Romney, who is running for president, told The Associated Press that the vote is "a regrettable setback" and said it makes it more important to pass a national amendment supporting traditional marriage.
"Marriage is an institution that goes to the heart of our society," he said, "and our leaders can no longer abdicate their responsibility."
