Massachusetts US Senator Applauds Defeat of Anti-Gay Amendment

"I’m proud that Massachusetts continues to be a leader on marriage equality. Being part of a family is a basic right, and I look forward to the day when every state accepts this basic principle of fairness. Marriage is a solemn commitment to plan a future together, to share in life’s celebrations, to be there as a source of comfort and support to ease life’s burdens and pains. This week’s debate in the Senate affects real families with real-life struggles. When the citizens of a state have decided to recognize those families -- through their state constitution or state laws -- the Senate has no business undermining their personal, private decisions. It’s wrong to try to turn back the clock on the progress we’ve made in guaranteeing civil rights for all our people. That progress has been achieved at great cost and sacrifice, and we must not retreat. The Constitution has never been amended to discriminate any American, and now is no time to start." US Senator Edward M. Kennedy on the defeat of the Federal Marriage Amendment in the Senate, June 7, 2006