MA State Rep Shifts Position on Same-Sex Marriage/Unions

[TaleWgnDg]

MA Legislator Shifts on Same-Sex Unions,
Drops Support for Civil Compromise

by Sarah Schweitzer, (Boston) Globe Staff | June 25, 2005

"MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA -- The meeting with state Representative Bradford Hill in this solidly Republican town Thursday was tense. Local supporters of same-sex marriage had turned out to pounce on Hill for voting last year (at the 2004 Massachusetts Constitutional Convention) in favor of a constitutional amendment that bans gay marriage but allows civil unions.

"But Hill had a surprise.

"When Chad Gifford, former chief executive of FleetBoston Financial Corp. and a resident of Manchester-by-the-Sea, asked the Republican legislator if he planned to continue supporting the amendment, Hill responded with a clear no.

" 'Congratulations,' responded Gifford, whose son is gay and married. Applause broke out in the meeting room of the columned town hall.

"With that, Hill became what appears to be the first lawmaker to publicly change positions on the same-sex marriage ban, surprising local constituents and Beacon Hill activists.

. . . snip . . .

"Marc Solomon, political director of MassEquality, praised Hill's decision. 'More than two-dozen gay and lesbian couples in Hill's district have gotten married over the past year,' he said. 'And it is terrific that Representative Hill is standing up for those couples and their families.'

"Hill, 38, of Ipswich, was elected to the Legislature in 1998. He represents the Fourth Essex District, which includes Ipswich, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Boxford, Middleton's Precinct 2, Hamilton, and Wenham."

. . . more at . . . http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/06/25/legislator_shifts_on_same_sex_unions?mode=PF







Same-Sex Marriage Supporters at Massachusetts Statehouse
During 2004 Massachusetts Constitutional Convention





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[Maven]

1. Must've been something to be in that room.

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