Victory in Massachusetts

The long struggle over gay marriage in Massachusetts came to a conclusion on Thursday, when the combined houses of the state legislature voted 151 to 45 not to allow a statewide ballot initiative on the matter. Gay marriage opponents would have needed 50 votes (1/4 of the total 200 members) to move the ballot forward, and in a vote five months ago they had gotten 62. But months of lobbying apparently paid off. Gay marriage in MA is secured for the forseeable future.

See coverage in the Globe and Bay Windows.