Massachusetts News: An Independent News Source for Massachusetts Politics

Marriage Amendment Not About 'Hate' or 'Homosexuals'

The following report on the Protection of Marriage Amendment was provided by Massachusetts Citizens for Marriage.

July 12, 2002

MCM President Sarah McVay Pawlick holds a sign in front of the State House in Boston reading "LET THE PEOPLE VOTE ON MARRIAGE."

The Protection of Marriage Amendment is not about "hate" or "homosexuals." It is about preserving the best system ever designed for raising children. However, that system is not perfect. We have tinkered with that system over the last 30 years, and both the system and our children have suffered as a result. We should do all we can to preserve that system.

This is also about following the law and the Constitution and allowing the people to vote on the Amendment as they have demanded. Which legislator will raise his hand and say he does not trust the people? Would we rather trust the lawyers in the courts and in the legislature? This is not about interpreting the Constitution but writing it. That's why we call it a "Constitutional Convention." A Constitution is always written by the people.

We have to feel sorry for Senate President Tom Birmingham. He is under intense pressure from extreme feminists at the Boston Globe, militant homosexual activists, the Mass. AFL-CIO, others who just want sex without the responsibilities of marriage and other "special interests."

Extremists at Globe - Extreme feminists have been outspoken against marriage since the 1960s when NOW was created and was then quickly co-opted by the lesbians. This type of feminist believes that marriage is unfair and damaging to women. Therefore, they would like to weaken or eliminate the institution.

These extreme feminists are the controlling force at the Boston Globe. Even the very liberal David Nyhan was banished from the paper a couple of years ago because he would not kowtow to the extremists who are in charge.

The Globe has publicly told Birmingham that he should play dirty tricks, break the law and not allow a vote. When he did not respond, they changed their allegiance to another unnamed, gubernatorial candidate.

Militant Homosexuals - The militant homosexuals are rich and powerful. When their leading organization, the Human Rights Campaign, came to Boston for their annual banquet in the state last year, many politicians were there, including Sen. Birmingham. They took away $275,000 for their annual $8 million budget. That amount of money is going to impress any politician. And they are only one of many militant groups with cash.

Mass. AFL-CIO - The most difficult puzzle is why the Mass. AFL-CIO is fighting so hard to defeat the Amendment. Their members favor it by a large majority. So why are the union bosses quietly taking a leading role in fighting it? Given the corruption that has occurred in many labor organizations nationwide, many people are wondering if the bosses are personally benefiting from the millions of dollars that the militant homosexuals have at their disposal. The Mass. AFL-CIO has been at the forefront in the battle to defeat the Amendment. They first became noticeable last fall with their assistance to the "blockers" who were harassing voters as they were attempting to sign the Petitions. But there's no question that the AFL-CIO's ringing endorsement on June 20 of Birmingham for Governor certainly makes him likely to do their bidding, whatever that may be.

Casual Sex - There are many who no longer think of children when they think of sex. They believe that sex is just another sport like tennis or golf. How well can you perform? They do not realize that marriage was created not to help spouses or partners, but to protect children -- who need both a mother and a father. The children don't always get a father and a mother, but that is what they crave.

Sen. Birmingham is trying to please all these interests while looking like a statesman. He has picked a difficult role. The Globe wrote in its news columns on June 20 that the Senator "has been battling the accusation that he is beholden to special interests." This fight against the Amendment is not going to help him in that battle. One wonders when he will realize that.

MetroWest Daily News - "We elect senators and representatives to debate and vote on the issues of the day. Most people who run for office expect to be called on to take a stand on tough questions. Birmingham should get out of the way and let elected legislators do what they are paid to do."

Attleboro Sun Chronicle - A news story quotes Reps. Betty Poirier (R-N. Attleboro), Philip Travis (D-Rehoboth), John Lepper (R-Attleboro) and Michael Coppola (R-Foxboro) as favoring the Amendment. Rep. Poirer told the paper, "If you broaden the definition, it weakens marriage as an institution. Over thousands of years, this has proven to be the best way to raise children." Rep. Scott Brown (R-Wrentham) says he has not yet made a decision and besides, he will be out of town on the 17th. Sen. Joanne Sprague (R-Walpole) is against the Amendment and feels that Birmingham used good judgment in not calling for a vote on June 19th. Sen. Cheryl Jacques, a lesbian, is against the Amendment.

The president of Mass. Citizens for Marriage, Sarah McVay Pawlick, prepares for the vote at the State House on Wednesday. She says that the actions of the 160 Representatives and 40 Senators will be on public display for everyone to see and hopes that the Legislators all show up for the Convention at 2 p.m. and make the state proud.

There has been systematic and flagrant fraud used by the opponents against the Amendment throughout the campaign. Because the media opposes the Amendment, they have not reported any of it.

Blockers—In violation of the Constitutional rights of voters, the opposition used "blockers" throughout the campaign to follow the signature gatherers wherever they were in the state and to argue vehemently with the voters as they were signing the petitions. There are many pictures and videos of those blockers in action but the media has no desire to write about this. Because of the blockers, it was difficult to get volunteers to gather signatures at the malls. And the leaders hesitated to put them into danger of violence. This required the use of paid signature gatherers, which was an unusually large expense to the supporters of the Amendment.

Horse People—The horse people began to level charges of fraud against the Marriage Amendment in November last year and the opponents were quick to jump on these baseless accusations, as though it had been planned. Both the horse people and the marriage people (and Carla Howell) had the same signature-gathering firm. Even Bay Windows reported that the firm had a good reputation.

Then the horse people sued the Commonwealth and intensified their cries of fraud against the Marriage Amendment, which were dutifully reported by all the media.

After their suit was dismissed without trial in Suffolk Superior Court in April, the horse people have simply disappeared and have stopped their libel against the marriage amendment supporters. But the opponents continue to spread that lie and apparently plan to do so without challenge for the next two years.

CALL YOUR STATE SENATOR & REP TODAY!
CALL SEN. BIRMINGHAM AT 617-722-1500!
Even if you know how your Rep or Senator will vote, please call anyhow.
They are counting every vote!