NEWS Massachusetts gridlock on gay marriage February 16, 2004 BOSTON, Massachusetts, — Gay advocates claimed a victory of sorts Friday after Massachusetts legislators were forced to adjourn a special constitutional convention without adopting a ban on same-sex marriage. A last-gasp filibuster by pro-gay marriage members of the state House and Senate saw the convention end at midnight after two days of heated debate on an issue that has emerged as a major political flashpoint. The Massachusetts Supreme Court had ruled in November that an existing ban on gay marriage violated the state constitution. Under the historic ruling, Massachusetts should, on May 17, become the first US state to issue marriage licences to same-sex couples. Legislators had sought to override the ruling by changing the constitution, but none of a series of tabled amendments restricting marriage to heterosexual couples could garner the required majority. As the lawmakers left the chamber after midnight, gay activists cheered and sang "God Bless America." Discussions on the subject will resume on March 11. "No one should expect that decisions of this magnitude would be made casually or quickly," House Speaker Thomas Finneran said in a statement. "Our efforts will continue." Gay advocates and their traditionalist opponents had lobbied hard before and during the convention, holding rallies inside and outside the state assembly. "It's Adam and Eve. Not Adam and Steve," said one anti-gay marriage banner. Even as the Massachusetts lawmakers were struggling through a legal quagmire, the city of San Francisco made history Thursday by becoming the first civil authority in the United States to officially marry gay couples in open defiance of laws banning the practice. The city, under the orders of its liberal new Mayor Gavin Newsom, officially married at least 15 gay couples and issued marriage licences to dozens of others in a move that infuriated traditionalist groups. Opponents of Newsom's action were expected in court Friday to seek an injunction preventing the city issuing any more licences. The whole issue of same-sex marriage and gay rights in general looks set to become a hot topic during campaigning for the November 2 presidential election. President George W. Bush is staunchly opposed to gay marriage and feels his likely Democratic challenger, John Kerry, is vulnerable on the issue, not least because he is the senator from Massachusetts. Kerry publicly opposes gay marriage, but is perceived as having far more liberal views than Bush on gay rights in general. Bush has already denounced the Massachusetts court ruling and indicated that he would consider amending the federal constitution to prevent any other states following the same path. Vermont is the only state that allows civil unions, although other states, including California, allow a system of domestic partnerships that give limited recognition to gay couples. – Sapa-AFP Related stories San Francisco to marry same-sex couples [13/02/2004] Massachusetts awaits vote on gay marriage [12/02/2004]