Only 24 More Hours for Marriage Equality in Massachusetts?

Tomorrow, Massachusetts lesgislators will meet in a Constitutional Convention to determine whether to send the issue of same-sex marriage to voters this November. If voters decide against it, then same-sex marriage in Massachusetts will be no more. No, marriage equality won’t officially end tomorrow in either case, but if it goes to the ballot, its chances are far from certain.

Yes, it’s that dire, and has ramifications far beyond Massachusetts. Already, Rhode Island and New York have extended certain rights to their citizens who have had same-sex marriages in Massachusetts. Massachusetts gives us a foot in the door to spread equality elsewhere, through the legal process, in addition to standing as a simple beacon of hope.

I’m all for voter-driven democracy, but I do believe some issues, like civil rights, should not be decided by whichever side runs a better “get out the vote” campaign. This would set a dangerous precedent (in people’s minds, if not in law) for other states facing this issue.

The Associated Press/ABC News has a good summary of the situation. Blue Mass Group has a more detailed rundown of the sixteen previous times marriage equality has come before a Constitutional Convention, as well as several other posts on the run-up to this ConCon.

If you live in Massachusetts, visit the MassEquality Action Center to find out how to e-mail or phone your legislator. If you don’t live here, e-mail friends or family who do, and pass the message along.