Massachusetts Bans Gay Marriages but Allows Civil Unions
Massachusetts lawmakers gave preliminary approval Thursday to a constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage but allow civil unions.
The amendment, which would strip gay couples of their court-granted marriage rights, must still weather several additional votes and anticipated legislative maneuvering by opponents.
The earliest a ban could end up on a statewide ballot is November 2006, more than two years after same-sex couples can start getting married in Massachusetts.
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Due to the elaborate constitutional-amendment process, the ban must be approved by the Legislature at least three more times this year — perhaps as soon as Thursday night — and then again during the 2005-06 legislative session. Then it would go before voters in 2006.
