Attorney General Martha Coakley on Friday promised her support to enter into litigation against the proposed state constitutional referendum which would put to the voters of Massachusetts a ban on same-sex marriage. See Worcester Telegram & Gazette
The Attorney General before a meeting with the Massachusetts Lesbian and Gay Bar Association, urged the group to press legislators to keep the question off the ballot in 2008 as she said that neither the Massachusetts nor the U.S. Constitution "has ever been an instrument of discrimination and we shouldn't start now." She also anticipates that she expects "protracted, hard-fought litigation" challenging the constitutionality of the amendment if it were passed. And pledged, "If that batle is necessary, you have my support."
We "insiders" and anyone following the equal marriage fight here in the Baystate knew that a legal remedy would be sought in the event that the question made it to the ballot and if it passed in the voter box. Coakley's posturing now could not have come at a better time that (hopefully) each and every one of us is contacting his/her Senator and Representative. see MassEquality interactive maps
Know this...what Attorney General Coakley is doing by posturing for a lengthy, costly legal battle on the behalf of a minority AND the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is sending a resounding message to our Legislature. A message that says, "You (Legislator) who is thinking about passing the buck of responsibility to the voters for changing the Consititution to discriminate against the LGBT community, will not get a free pass." These Legislators will be held accountable after the June 14th vote if this amendment is not killed. Accountable to "The People" of the Commonwealth for the costly, protracted, politically-charged litigation that will ensue in order to protect the very Commonwealth itself.
**To Email or Call Attorney General Martha Coakley and Thank Her**
Attorney General Martha Coakley
McCormack Building
One Ashburton Place
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 727-2200
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Tom Lang, Director