Advocates of Homosexual 'Marriage' Target Another Massachusetts Law

by Bill Fancher and Jody Brown
June 23, 2004

(AgapePress) - Same-sex marriage advocates are challenging another Massachusetts law. After getting the state ban on homosexual unions declared unconstitutional, homosexual activists are now going after a law that prevents certain out-of-state individuals from getting married in the Bay State.

Ray McNulty of the Massachusetts Coalition for Marriage says homosexual activists have filed a lawsuit against the state because out-of-state homosexuals cannot come to the state and get married. "This is just another attempt by the homosexual community here in Massachusetts to essentially try to overturn a law that's been in place since 1913," McNulty explains.

The state law banning those couples from getting married has led to the refusal to marry nearly 200 out-of-state same-sex couples. They claim the almost-century-old law discriminates against homosexuals -- but McNulty says it does not single them out.

"It also pertains to underage children being married, and those who are blood-relations from being married," he says, "so it's a far broader statute than just one that pertains to same-sex couples." According to McNulty, a recent attempt to change the law was defeated in the state House.

Since the court-ordered lifting of the ban on same-sex marriage in Massachusetts took effect, more than 2,500 in-state homosexual couples have been married.

'Crunch Time' for Marriage
A broad coalition of pro-family groups supporting the traditional concept of marriage has designated two days in July as "Marriage Protection Sunday" and "Call Your Senator Day." Gary Bauer, whose group Campaign for Working Families is part of that group, says it "crunch time" for the institution of marriage as it has been known for thousands of years.

Bauer explains that on Sunday, July 11, church pastors and other religious leaders are being encouraged to "lift up God's ordained institution of marriage" in their sermons. Then on Monday, July 12, people are encouraged to contact their senators, urging they vote "Yes" on the Federal Marriage Amendment measure, currently scheduled for debate and a vote on or around July 15.

Gary Bauer

The pro-family activist and conservative spokesman says "disturbing stories" -- such as what is happening in Massachusetts regarding out-of-state same-sex couples seeking marriage -- make it imperative that people react in defense of marriage.

"That means we can expect lawsuits against the 1996 federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) to begin popping up all over the country in the days ahead," he says. "It will only take one liberal federal judge to strike down DOMA and legalize homosexual 'marriage' in all 50 states with the swing of a gavel."

Bauer contends that some members of Congress believe nothing should be done to defend marriage until such a scenario exists. But he says by that time, it will be too late. "Our courts have made it abundantly clear that they intend on steering America in a direction the people do not wish to go," he says, noting the Supreme Court's 6-3 decision in Lawrence v. Texas that found a constitutional right to homosexual sodomy.

"Why wait until the judges wholly undo marriage?" he asks. "We must act now." Bauer recommends that individuals visit either his organization's website or NoGayMarriage.com for information about contacting their senators.