In our eyes, and in the view of many others, including Democratic senator Edward Kennedy, outlawing same-sex marriage would be only a half step away in spirit from reinstating slavery. The American ideal of progress — indeed, the international modern concept of progress — seeks to extend rights, not to restict them. It took the modern civil-rights and women’s movements to ensure a fuller measure of equal rights for African-Americans and women. The fruits of the gay-liberation movement are now coming to fruition. But great difficulty lies ahead before its goals can be realized.
Optimists who thought the Massachusetts decision embracing same-sex marriage would usher in a new and more-humane national order have had a very rude awakening. In the Goodridge decision’s wake, 17 states have barred same-sex marriage and eight of those have closed the door on even the possibility of civil unions. And while the national move to make same-sex marriage unconstitutional appears — for the time being at least — to be stalled, its very existence should haunt people of good will. (For ideas on how the gay-liberation movement can regain its momentum, see the article “Libbing It Up” by long-time activist, scholar, and Phoenix contributor Michael Bronski.)
While the prospects for progress at this moment appear bleak, there are grounds for hope in the long run. Public opinion, even among those who personally oppose equal marriage rights, is against a constitutional ban. But more important, opinion among those 30-years-old and younger runs in favor of same-sex-marriage rights by a margin of more than three to two. The fact that more than 60 percent of voters under the age of 30 support equal marriage rights means that the George Bushes and Mitt Romneys of this world are backward looking reactionaries bent on preserving an old order that is in the slow and painful process of dissolving.
That makes calls to roll back the clock and deny progress by Bush and Romney — who clearly should know better — all the more cynical, self-serving, and reprehensible.
Senator Ted Kennedy is sponsoring a petition opposing the Federal Marriage Amdendment. Click here to sign the petition.
Related:
The wrong stuff, A deadly move against same-sex marriage, Hard sell, More 
- The wrong stuff
You can’t blame Democrats for feeling optimistic. In 2005, George W. Bush staggered through as rough a stretch as any modern president has experienced.
- A deadly move against same-sex marriage
Senate president Travaglini has been clear for some time that he opposes same-sex marriage-rights. List of shame: Those who voted to allow a referendum of the right of gays and lesbians to marry
- Hard sell
Over the past eight months, Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey (who wants to be governor) has methodically distanced herself from her boss and fellow Republican, Governor Mitt Romney (who wants to be president).
- Mass court OKs border crossings for RI same-sexers
Now that a Massachusetts judge has found that Rhode Island couples can legally marry in the Bay State, same-sex marriage proponents hope the decision will help rally their troops and enhance their case at the General Assembly in the coming year.
- What now?
The national political news is good for a change.
- California matters
For four years, and 10,000 same-sex nuptials, Massachusetts has had a monopoly on gay marriage in the United States.
- After the election
When legislators buried the marriage amendment without a vote at the November 9 Constitutional Convention, it was a good sign that pols have nothing to fear politically from same-sex marriage opponents.
- Jubilation!
We can all thank the conservatives who several years ago controlled the state legislature for the fact that Massachusetts citizens have same-sex- marriage rights.
- Advocates cite concern on bill for civil unions
In the aftermath of Valentine’s Day, leaders of Rhode Island’s same-sex marriage movement are concerned that new legislation could prevent the eventual granting of full marriage rights for gays and lesbians.
- Saving Marriage
Roth and Henning, dedicated partisans, were everywhere with their cameras in those historic years 2003–2006.
- Gay marriage debate comes to Maine
Even as same-sex marriage supporters across the country reel from the Election Day approval of California's Proposition 8 — which changed that state's constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman — they are optimistic about bringing gay marriage to Maine, possibly in the upcoming legislative session.
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