Sen. Kerry Supports Vote on Marriage

MassNews Staff
June 26, 2002

Senator John F. Kerry was praised yesterday for favoring a public vote at the ballot box on the Protection of Marriage Amendment.

"For whatever reason, Sen. Kerry has taken the common sense position to let the petition process run its course and let the people vote on the Marriage Amendment," said MCM President Sarah McVay Pawlick.

The Senator made his position known on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday. At the same time, he reiterated his opposition to gay marriage.

When asked whether Massachusetts voters deserved the right to address the issue, Kerry said, "I think people always deserve the right to vote and, if you have a referendum process . people have a right to exercise it."

Pawlick commented, "I know many people will attribute some political motive to Sen. Kerry's position but, whatever the motive, he stands with the people.

"He has distanced himself from the heavy-handed state Sen. Tom Birmingham, who is trying to throw the petitions of 130,000 Massachusetts voters in the trash.

"Massachusetts voters are understandably angry at Sen. Birmingham's attempts to bully the people of this state on the marriage vote.

"Birmingham should renounce his earlier efforts to block a vote by the people and join Senator Kerry. He should commit to a vote on the amendment on July 17th."

Full Text of Kerry Statement

The full text of the segment on Meet the Press concerning the marriage amendment was:

RUSSERT: A difficult issue for Democrats: In your state, Robert Reich, Democratic candidate for governor, came out in favor of gay marriage. Would you support that?

SEN. KERRY: No, I don't support gay marriage. I support partnership rights. I believe that is important. We've done that in many parts of the country. But I do not support marriage.

RUSSERT: Would you allow a ballot referendum or support a ballot referendum in Massachusetts to allow people to vote yes or no on gay marriage?

KERRY: Well, we actually have a ballot referendum this year that will go to the heart of the matter with respect to gay marriage.

RUSSERT: But it's being blocked by leaders of the state Legislature. Do you believe that the people of Massachusetts deserve a right to vote on it?

KERRY: I think people always deserve a right to vote, and if you have a referendum process, Tim, people have a right to exercise it.