Patrick and Massachusetts Again Under Anti-Gay Fire


Massachusetts again finds itself in a gay marriage war.

Right-wingers this week reignited an old debate by pushing a ballot question aimed at ending wedding-related immigration.

The activists claim Governor Deval Patrick lawmakers acted unfairly in repealing a 1913 law prohibiting out-of-staters from marrying in Massachusetts if their own state wouldn’t allow such a wedding.

The law was originally aimed at interracial couples, but has become more closely associated with gay rights – and you know how the right hate’s the homos…

Opponents of same-sex marriages are seeking a ballot question that would prevent gay and lesbian couples from getting married here if their union wouldn’t be legal in their home state.

Brian Camenker of the group Mass Resistance said Friday lawmakers and Gov. Deval Patrick bowed to the will of the “gay lobby” last month by approving the repeal of a 1913 statute that banned such marriages.

“The Legislature and the governor changed our marriage laws to please the well-connected minority and force a social experiment into other states that’s very offensive to a majority of the people, at least the way the votes have been going,” Camenker said, referring to recent votes in favor of gay marriage bans in other states.

Camenker specifically points to the repeal’s immediate enactment, rather than waiting the customary 90 days, during which time opponents can rally their reactionary troops. So now Camenker and his ilk are attempting to get 32,000 signatures to put the 1913 law question on this November’s ballot, because nothing says political prowess like fighting for a law written almost 100 years ago.

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