Marriage equality faces another challenge in Massachusetts

The future of thousands of families in the only state that allows same-sex couples to marry is in doubt now that the Massachusetts Legislature has voted to keep a proposed ban alive.

If the proposal gets the support of only 50 lawmakers in the next session, it will be put on the 2008 ballot. The Boston Globe reports that Massachusetts Governor-elect Deval Patrick said he was disappointed by the vote.

"We have never used the initiative petition to limit individual freedoms and personal privacy, but today’s vote was a regrettable step in that direction.

"We have work to do over the next year to turn this around," Patrick continued. "I am heartened by the fact that the overwhelming majority of the members of the Legislature – a margin of over 2 to 1 -- voted to move on. I pledge to do what I can to build on that momentum, so that our Constitution will continue to stand for liberty and freedom, and not discrimination."