Mass. Constitutional Convention (Feb.2004)

Constitutional Convention (Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2004)

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CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION – WEDNESDAY, FEB. 11, 2004

Rep. Reinstein said my decision was based on what’s inside me and how I felt about the opinions I received from people in my district. I followed my gut and conscience. Compromising my conscience compromises me as a human being. This is a civil rights issue. We should never change the constitution to limit the rights of individuals. It came down to how I felt about people with different lifestyles than me. Any person should be able to marry someone who is their best friend and soulmate if they choose. Who cares? I mean, who cares if gay people want to marry each other? I cannot live with a decision that does not do anything other than give equal rights. Has anyone here been judged? I have. I am fat, ugly, a baby killer, a murderer, a liar, a slob, a dirty politician because we all are, a tree hugger, a waste of space. I am judged because I am a woman and because I am from Revere. People who will never know me will judge me for the rest of my life. I hate being judged. It makes me sad that people have these perceptions of me and anger towards me when they don’t even know me. People just me on one vote or where I was born or how I look. It’s disappointing because I truly believe in the communities I represent and the people who live there. I feel I am not being afforded the same courtesies that I afford others. I will not judge others when I don’t like being judged by others. Think about how you felt when someone judged you. How hurt and angry and bewildered you were. They made themselves the authority and told you you were bad. You felt like crap didn’t you? I know I did. I have been yelled at and sworn at. So many have tried to intimidate me. It has been a difficult time to serve in this body. For those disappointed in me, know I would vote for your equal rights too. This is a personal decision for all of us. This issue should never be about fear and intimidation. It’s not about having more pro-DOMA than anti-DOMA people. This is abominable and disgusting. It’s about what you think is right, not who you fear. Didn’t we just invade a country? We wanted to have a democracy so people could be who they want to be. We are here in a democracy debating limiting the rights of individuals. Shouldn’t we lead by example? We have the oldest constitution in the world. We are all faced with our individual demons, those of our families and friends and constituencies and of our own conscience. I deeply respect each and every one of you.

Sen. Tisei said you have done a great job Mr. President. It has been 15 years since I took this microphone. It was a 4-3 decision. The public was not ready for it. Public officials predicted chaos. The Goodridge decision? No. I refer to the lifting of the ban on interracial marriage. Looking back, is there anyone who would question the wisdom of the court’s decision on what at the time was a volatile issue? Just as with interracial marriage, another group is not afforded full rights. Future generations will judge us as taking a courageous vote for all or one that writes discrimination into the constitution. I will not vote to make gay and lesbians second-class citizens. This legislature has refused to debate and take up basic rights for same-sex couples, whether it be financial, health or retirement benefits. What makes our country great and our state special is we have built a strong and proud tradition of doing the right thing to ensure every citizen is treated fairly under the law. We started here by saluting the flag and ended with the words in liberty and justice for all. Think about those words. I hope the amendment and any change to this constitution is defeated.

Rep. Costello said we come here with an issue of such magnitude that it’s almost been an oppressive few weeks. No matter what side you are on, you feel the heat. As I sit here, I know names will be invoked. I look at the chamber walls and remember no protection of minorities and I look at the Bill of Rights and think they were all a reaction to the laws on the books prior to the constitution. One law said if you were a Jesuit priest in the 1600s, it was a capital offense unless you were shipwrecked. You were an agent of satan. That was in our law. The constitution is the only document that protects a minority from a majority. It has protected Catholics, blacks and minorities. Now it is being asked to protect people of a different sexual orientation than the majority. The Catholic Church does not recognize the second marriage. This constitution protects the Catholic Church. I hear let the people vote. I can accept that. When I hear that from religious groups, I pause and think about the process. It is a deliberative process for a reason. We are taking an extraordinary step.

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Pictures and Photos Local News Constitutional Convention Transcripts Username Password	Constitutional Convention (Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2004) «Previous Page · 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 · Next Page» CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION – WEDNESDAY, FEB. 11, 2004 Rep. Reinstein said my decision was based on what’s inside me and how I felt about the opinions I received from people in my district. I followed my gut and conscience. Compromising my conscience compromises me as a human being. This is a civil rights issue. We should never change the constitution to limit the rights of individuals. It came down to how I felt about people with different lifestyles than me. Any person should be able to marry someone who is their best friend and soulmate if they choose. Who cares? I mean, who cares if gay people want to marry each other? I cannot live with a decision that does not do anything other than give equal rights. Has anyone here been judged? I have. I am fat, ugly, a baby killer, a murderer, a liar, a slob, a dirty politician because we all are, a tree hugger, a waste of space. I am judged because I am a woman and because I am from Revere. People who will never know me will judge me for the rest of my life. I hate being judged. It makes me sad that people have these perceptions of me and anger towards me when they don’t even know me. People just me on one vote or where I was born or how I look. It’s disappointing because I truly believe in the communities I represent and the people who live there. I feel I am not being afforded the same courtesies that I afford others. I will not judge others when I don’t like being judged by others. Think about how you felt when someone judged you. How hurt and angry and bewildered you were. They made themselves the authority and told you you were bad. You felt like crap didn’t you? I know I did. I have been yelled at and sworn at. So many have tried to intimidate me. It has been a difficult time to serve in this body. For those disappointed in me, know I would vote for your equal rights too. This is a personal decision for all of us. This issue should never be about fear and intimidation. It’s not about having more pro-DOMA than anti-DOMA people. This is abominable and disgusting. It’s about what you think is right, not who you fear. Didn’t we just invade a country? We wanted to have a democracy so people could be who they want to be. We are here in a democracy debating limiting the rights of individuals. Shouldn’t we lead by example? We have the oldest constitution in the world. We are all faced with our individual demons, those of our families and friends and constituencies and of our own conscience. I deeply respect each and every one of you. Sen. Tisei said you have done a great job Mr. President. It has been 15 years since I took this microphone. It was a 4-3 decision. The public was not ready for it. Public officials predicted chaos. The Goodridge decision? No. I refer to the lifting of the ban on interracial marriage. Looking back, is there anyone who would question the wisdom of the court’s decision on what at the time was a volatile issue? Just as with interracial marriage, another group is not afforded full rights. Future generations will judge us as taking a courageous vote for all or one that writes discrimination into the constitution. I will not vote to make gay and lesbians second-class citizens. This legislature has refused to debate and take up basic rights for same-sex couples, whether it be financial, health or retirement benefits. What makes our country great and our state special is we have built a strong and proud tradition of doing the right thing to ensure every citizen is treated fairly under the law. We started here by saluting the flag and ended with the words in liberty and justice for all. Think about those words. I hope the amendment and any change to this constitution is defeated. Rep. Costello said we come here with an issue of such magnitude that it’s almost been an oppressive few weeks. No matter what side you are on, you feel the heat. As I sit here, I know names will be invoked. I look at the chamber walls and remember no protection of minorities and I look at the Bill of Rights and think they were all a reaction to the laws on the books prior to the constitution. One law said if you were a Jesuit priest in the 1600s, it was a capital offense unless you were shipwrecked. You were an agent of satan. That was in our law. The constitution is the only document that protects a minority from a majority. It has protected Catholics, blacks and minorities. Now it is being asked to protect people of a different sexual orientation than the majority. The Catholic Church does not recognize the second marriage. This constitution protects the Catholic Church. I hear let the people vote. I can accept that. When I hear that from religious groups, I pause and think about the process. It is a deliberative process for a reason. We are taking an extraordinary step. «Previous Page · 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 · Next Page»