Sunday, September 15, 2002
Massachusetts gubernatorial candidates address same-sex rights in state
A story published today by the Boston Globe reports that since Vermont passed the nation's first civil union law in 2000, debate has raged in Massachusetts over rights for same-sex couples. The state now offers no civil union or marriage options to same-sex couples, and partners of state workers are not given benefits such as health insurance.
With same-sex couples now suing for the right to marry and a conservative group trying to ban same-sex marriage and domestic-partner benefits, the issue will get plenty of attention in the next few years. Candidates for governor offer their positions.
Three gubernatorial candidates, Democrat Robert Reich, Libertarian Carla Howell, and Green Party candidate Jill Stein support same-sex civil marriage, which would bring the advantages of civil unions - including health insurance that even private companies would be required to offer to domestic partners - and some additional benefits: couples would receive federal marriage rights like joint tax filing, and other states would be required to treat them as married couples.
The other candidates for governor oppose same-sex marriage, but all support expanded rights and benefits for same-sex couples. Vermont-style civil unions should be allowed in Massachusetts, according to Democrats Thomas F. Birmingham, Shannon P. O'Brien, and Warren E. Tolman. Anticipating that passage of such a law would be difficult on Beacon Hill, all three would take more gradual steps in the meantime. They would grant same-sex partners of state workers basic domestic-partner benefits, and would give cities and towns the option to do the same if they wish.
While Republican Mitt Romney opposes same-sex marriage and civil unions, he said he is open to other ways for the state to recognize domestic-partner status so couples can receive health benefits and survivors rights.
But he has not offered a specific alternative, and while he wants the state to extend domestic-partner benefits to the domestic partners of state workers, he said other priorities - including restoring Medicaid cuts - must come first.
