Gays may have short-lived chance to wed

WITH one chapter closed in Massachusetts’ gay marriage debate, several new ones open, as gay couples look ahead to what may be a short-lived chance to tie the knot and lawmakers prepare for crucial November elections.

Legislators approved a constitutional amendment on Monday that would ban gay marriages while legalising civil unions. If passed during the next two-year legislative session, the measure would go before voters in November 2006.

The move comes even as the nation’s first State-sanctioned gay marriages are scheduled to begin in mid-May, as ordered by a November ruling of the State’s Supreme Judicial Court. Attention now turns to the autumn elections, when lawmakers will have to defend their votes on the contentious social issue and fend off attempts to change the makeup of the legislature.

All 200 legislative seats are up for grabs in November, and the amendment was approved on Monday with only four votes to spare. It now becomes critical for opponents of gay marriage to ensure the re-election of their allies in the autumn.

Within moments of the historic vote, Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney told reporters he would ask the State’s highest court to block gay marriages until the amendment process has run its lengthy course.

“Given the conflict, I believe the Supreme Judicial Court should delay the imposition of its decision until the people have a chance to be heard,” said Mr Romney, a Republican in his first term.

“If we begin providing for same-sex marriages on May 17,” he said, “we will have created a good deal of confusion during the period in between.” But Attorney General Tom Reilly said he would not seek to delay the May 17 deadline.