Just got a really interesting email from Chris Johnson, the Human Rights Campaign's online outreach guy, regarding today's big victory in Massachusetts
Marty Rouse, Human Rights Campaign National Field Director, was at the Massachusetts state capital for today’s historic constitutional convention vote that would determine if same-sex marriage rights would be threatened by a statewide vote on the 2008 ballot. After three years of equal marriage rights that resulted in almost 9,000 same-sex marriages in Massachusetts, supporters of the anti-marriage amendment needed at least 50 votes to win and put the amendment on the ballot.
As the former campaign director for MassEquality (www.massequality.org), Marty has played a key role in each step of the fight for equal marriage rights in Massachusetts. This is a first-hand account of the final moments, as he relayed it to us, leading up to today’s vote and the immediate aftermath of today’s historic win.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007 9:15 PM
[Following an email from MassEquality campaign director Marc Solomon that Rep. Vallee will vote against the amendment] This is a hopeful sign. No one wants to be the first to go public with a switch unless there is a good chance many more will follow.
More meetings tonight and tomorrow before the 1pm ConCon.
Thursday, June 14, 2007 11:41 AM
Pandemonium outside the statehouse. Police have put opposing sides across the street from each other. Signs everywhere. Our side gets the overwhelming number of honks from the passing cars. Even the duck tour boat passengers are cheering us on.
Volunteers are handing out Dunkin Donuts to keep our blood flowing as if we need it. Adrenaline is everywhere.
Thursday, June 14, 2007 12:41 PM
Just got out of a closed door meeting of 30 or so of the legislative leaders who support marriage equality and are whipping for final votes. Scarfing down sandwiches held together with toothpicks adorned with American flags the meeting is in the basement of St. Paul's Episcopal Church across the Boston Common.
The mood is serious as every possible move is being plotted. It is almost reverent as legislators' are keenly aware of what is about to happen in less than one hour.
The leaders, Senator Stan Rosenberg and House Member Byron Rushing, gave the directions. The vote is expected to happen at 1:00 sharp and to be over quickly, if all goes well.
The legislators in the church are silent and seem to struggle to swallow their lunches. They stream out in silence and now head to the Statehouse. One by one, legislators say to me, “Welcome home.” The crowd outside the Statehouse, now in the thousands, is rather quiet, sensing the seriousness of the moment as the legislators file by them. I am now walking into the Statehouse to, hopefully, see history made in our country.
Thursday, June 14, 2007 12:55
I was the last one to enter the auditorium before they shut down the overcrowded statehouse.
In the 1,000 person auditorium where pro and antis watched on 12 ft TV screen, we all stood as the Senate President gaveled the Convention to order and asked all attendees and visitors to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. We all stood and spoke aloud but shouted ever louder the final two words "with liberty and justice FOR ALL!”
I got goose bumps and we all cheered and many had tears in their eyes.
Then total silence as we awaited the vote.
Thursday, June 14, 2007 1:25 PM
Over in four minutes. The building is shaking with thousands yelling to the legislators as they gather in Nurses' Hall: “THANK YOU! THANK YOU!” Senate president Therese Murray is the first to address the crowd to shouts of, “We LOVE Terry Murray!”
Hundreds shouting, cheering, crying tears of joy. David Wilson, one of the original plaintiff couples is here hugging everyone.
Thursday, June 14, 2007 1:44 PM
Governor Deval Patrick is now addressing the crowd, or trying to. The crowd is going wild. “Thank you, Deval!" "Today the freedom to marry is secure," he begins, to wild cheering.
Thursday, June 14, 2007 2:14 PM
The crowd of about 1,000 is leaving the now steamy statehouse and joining another 1,000 or so for an impromptu rally outside the statehouse steps.
Legislative allies, many of the 151 who voted against the marriage amendment are walking up the steps and being introduced via megaphone by a now-hoarse Marc Solomon, the tenacious Campaign Director of MassEquality.
Looking around at the old, young, black, white, and brown faces, I am starting to understand just what a momentous occasion we now have.
Massachusetts has now secured marriage equality not only by a court but by an overwhelming majority of elected representatives of the Commonwealth. Generations will always look back at this time and place.
The bar has been set for equality, nothing more and nothing less.
Thursday, June 14, 2007 3:02 PM – Marty reflects on his experiences working for marriage equality in Massachusetts.
It was a moving moment stepping into my old office at MassEquality and seeing the maps the charts. Together over many years we have built a politically powerful movement.
Here in Massachusetts, politicians have witnessed firsthand that a vote against the GLBT community can cost them their job. And just as important as the flexing of the political muscle is the need to be open and never give up on anyone.
The power of talking openly about your life to family, friends coworkers, and yes, legislators, makes change. From my recent vantage point of being in DC, I now see that Massachusetts has made a difference in my life and in so many others. The sacrifices so many have made, the long hours, the travel, the cajoling, the raising of money and more money, the speaking with the enemy to find some bit of common ground, all of that has been worth every moment.
I am so honored to have had this opportunity to help in my small way to make our country better for my sons, Sasha and David, and for the future of all of us. All you need is love
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