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October 15, 2008 4:31:35 PM CDT

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Mass. Upholds Gay Marriage

Posted Jun 15, 07 7:27 AM CDT in US,  Politics 

(Newser) – Gay couples in Massachussetts scored a major victory yesterday, after state legislators threw out a proposed constitutional amendment that would have put gay marriage to a popular vote. The proposed ban was defeated 151-45, only 5 votes short of the 50 necessary to place the issue on a statewide ballot in 2008.

Opponents have challenged Massachusetts' first-in-the-nation gay marriage law since the initial 2004 court decision. Even today's vote—in a Democratic state with a Democratic legislature—was far from assured. "I can tell you right now that we did not know at 5 minutes to 1, when I went into the chamber, what the vote would be," said Senate prez Therese Murray.

Source Boston Globe

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Diane Steele, 52, of Richmond, Mass., is arrested by Boston Police after Massachusetts lawmakers voted to kill a proposed constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage at the Statehouse in Boston, Thursday,...   (Associated Press)
Greg Kimball, center left, of Manchester, Mass., and his partner of five months, Brian O'Connor celebrate after Massachusetts lawmakers voted to kill a proposed constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage...   (Associated Press)
Greg Kimball, left, of Manchester, Mass., and his partner of five months, Brian O'Connor hug as they celebrate after Massachusetts lawmakers voted to kill a proposed constitutional amendment to ban gay...   (Associated Press)
Greg Kimball, center left, of Manchester, Mass., and his partner of five months, Brian O'Connor celebrate after Massachusetts lawmakers voted to kill a proposed constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage...   (Associated Press)
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