Finneran says he will support compromise on civil unions | Boston Globe

[Ediacara]

Finneran says he will support compromise on civil unions
But insists Legislature should define benefits

By Raphael Lewis, Globe Staff, 2/21/2004

Massachusetts House Speaker Thomas M. Finneran yesterday said he has dropped his longstanding opposition to establishing a constitutional right to civil unions for same-sex couples, as long as the Legislature can still define what benefits and rights are conferred by those unions "from time to time."

Speaking in an interview yesterday with political analyst Jon Keller on the public affairs program "Keller At Large" on WB56-TV, Finneran said he would fully back a "compromise" constitutional amendment that would provide civil unions for gay and lesbian couples, as long as marriage remains for heterosexuals only. The Legislature next takes up debate on the subject March 11.

During yesterday's interview, Keller pressed Finneran on whether he had actually come around to civil unions, asking whether "you personally have any remaining qualms about full civil-union rights for same sex couples," Finneran responded, "I don't, as long as it's defined by the Legislature from time to time."

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[BR_Parkway]

1. And the assumption is that if this is "palatable"

then everyone is going to vote for it next session to put on the ballot and then the general electorate will approve it in 2006.

[WillParkinson]

2. From 'time to time'...

That makes me nervous. We can give you some rights now but we reserve the right to take them back later if we think it's not working.

[donco6]

3. That's sort of the way I read it.

And they wonder why we would want "real" marriage.

[BR_Parkway]

4. Whenever Reverend Pat has another conversation with God

like he's had about the upcoming (and according to him, foregone) election.