I spent today at the State House volunteering for MassEquality. Today was the 2nd Constitutional Convention, where the legislature was voting for a second time on a proposed constitutional amendment that would define marriage as between a man and a woman while allowing civil unions. (The rules here for an amendment is that before it's put on the ballot for the people it must get a majority of votes in 2 joint sessions of the state legislature in successive years.)
At the first Con/Con last year the amendment barely passed, but this year it was defeated with only 39 'yes' votes. In part that was because there's another amendment proposal coming down the pipeline to ban same sex marriage without any civil union allowance, so some who would have supported today's version decided to wait.
Massachusetts has been allowing same sex marriages for 18 months now, since the Supreme Judicial Court ruling came down in the Goodrich decision last year. Many legislators who voted FOR the amendment last year (and against gay marriage) changed their minds this year because since SSM became legal "the sky has not fallen, and the sun still shines over Massachusetts." So basically they've seen all of the positive effects that have come about but none of the negative predictions that some have used to argue against it.
Being at the State House, surrounded by people for whom this ruling is more than just a matter of principle, was very moving. There were tears during some of the legislators' speeches. When the final vote was announced, the pure, exultant jubilation in the room was deafening. For so many today was an affirmation of who they are, and this state's elected officials took a stand and said that they would not discriminate based on sexual orientation.
Outside the capitol when I was holding signs there were two elderly gentlemen nearby. They had a sign that said "Together for 50 years, married for one." On the reverse were pictures dating back to when they met in 1955.
As many said at the State House, the fight isn't over and there's work to be done. But today is certainly something to celebrate.