House passes 1913 repeal

[meegbear]

The Massachusetts House of Representatives voted on Tuesday to repeal the 1913 law that prohibited out of state gay couples from getting married in Massachusetts.

By an overwhelming vote of (UPDATE 6:50 P.M.: 119 to 36) the House voted to engross the bill. Since the measure has already passed in the state Senate, it will now head to Gov. Deval Patrick (D-Milton) for signing. Patrick has said he supports the measure.

Debate on the measure began around 2:30 p.m. and the roll call vote took place at 3:30 p.m.

Marc Solomon, the Executive Director of MassEquality, a gay rights organization, praised the passage of the bill.

"This is a true victory for equality," he said. "In repealing this law we've sent the message loud and clear that in Massachusetts, we respect and honor all families. We've ridded our state laws of the last vestige of discrimination against same-sex couples, and we once again lead the way for equality for all people."

The law was adapted by former Gov. Mitt Romney to prevent non-resident homosexual couples from coming to the Bay State to get married after the Massachusetts Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in 2004.

UPDATE: The vote changed from 118 to 35 to 119 to 36 because two representatives, one on each side, were allowed to vote after time had expired.

http://www.politickerma.com/jeremyjacobs/515/house-passes-1913-repeal

[Fearless]

1. Strange...

Not bad strange... but strange that I've not heard yet of this... Good for them. No time for protests. No time for rallies. No time for fund raising. No time for the bigoted speeches of a certain few hate groups...

Bravo!

NTF

[TechBear_Seattle]

2. Happy to recommend

Let's see if we can get this to the Greatest page. :hi:

[AwakeAtLast]

3. I added my K & R!

:hi:

[crimsonblue]

4. This repeal may start a new, long process...

which may ultimately and finally ban discriminatory marriage practices. The Full Faith and Credit Clause in the Constitution overrides ANY Congressional law banning same-sex marriage (such as DOMA), but no successful challenge has ever been brought against it. Inevitably, lawsuits will be brought against states that refuse to recognize marriages between citizens that take place in Massachusetts. Since "normal" couples may marry in any state and still receive recognition in their home state (or else all those marriages in Vegas would be null and void), we can only hope that this inalienable right will be acknowledged by the SCOTUS. With a SCOTUS ruling invalidating DOMA, then ALL marriages between 2 consenting adults shall be legal. The only recourse at that point would be a full-fledged Constitutional Amendment. Seeing as more and more people are becoming more open and accepting(especially since the older and more likely to be homophobic generations are being replaced by younger and more tolerant ones), this would be very unlikely. As a lover of equal rights for ALL peoples. this makes me very happy.

[bicentennial_baby]

5. It's over! Patrick signed it into law today!

:woohoo:

And they waived the 90 day waiting period...effective immediately! :D

[JackBeck]

6. Excellent!

I read earlier today about killing the 90 day waiting period, and most agreed that it would be signed within the next 9 days.

That was quick!