Four targeted for shift on same-sex marriage vote

Same-sex marriage opponents yesterday vowed to unseat four lawmakers who campaigned on a promise of supporting a constitutional ban but abandoned that position on Thursday, helping gay rights advocates win a historic victory at the Constitutional Convention.

Kris Mineau, president of the Massachusetts Family Institute, said the legislators, two freshman Democrats and two Republicans in the House, would be targeted with opponents in next year's election.

Mineau, whose group led the signature drive that put the proposed amendment before the Legislature, said supporters will also decide soon whether to move ahead with another amendment effort. On Thursday, lawmakers defeated the measure by a 151-to-45 vote, five votes shy of the number it needed to go before voters in November 2008.

"It's too soon to say, 24 hours later, that we have our 12-step plan for recovery," he said. "But we are dedicated to putting together a recovery plan that will unfold in the days ahead."

But the words of defiance from gay marriage opponents were tempered yesterday by the recognition that they had been clearly outnumbered and outmaneuvered by their opponents, who were seeking to protect the state high court decision that legalized gay marriage four years ago.

"The people who are advocating same-sex marriage are very, very determined," said former Boston mayor and US ambassador to the Vatican Raymond L. Flynn. "They're very active, and they participate in the process. Give them credit: They know how to wage a political campaign, and politicians respond to that kind of pressure."

Flynn conceded that it may be futile to try again to place a gay marriage ban before voters in Massachusetts. "Clearly the petition can be ignored by the Legislature," said Flynn, adding that supporters of "traditional families" need to galvanize and become as politically active and vocal as the forces in favor of same-sex marriage.

Meanwhile, gay rights advocates, whose Boston celebration Thursday night was attended by some of the nine legislators who switched sides since the last vote, said they would rally behind any lawmakers targeted by Mineau and his allies.

"We are committed to doing everything we can to insure the reelection of every legislator who voted in favor of equality, " said Marc Solomon, campaign director of MassEquality. "As I explained to one legislator the other day, we welcome the newest members of our team with just as open arms as the people who were with us three years ago. We respect every single legislator who came around to supporting equality. What that means is that we will encourage our over 200,000 members to get involved in these reelection campaigns."

Proponents said they will also eventually look to open the door to couples from other states to marry in Massachusetts. Solomon said there is overwhelming support in the Legislature to repeal the 1913 law that prohibits couples from out of state from marrying in Massachusetts if the union would not be legal in their own state.

"The next step is to sit down with legislative leaders and the governor's people and talk about when it makes sense to advance that piece of legislation," said Solomon, adding that there are no immediate plans for such a meeting.

Two of the four lawmakers who could be vulnerable in the next election said they recognized the risks when they changed their minds.

"When I sat in front of my voting machine and realized I had to press a red button that I had previously thought was the wrong one to press, it was emotional and heart-wrenching and difficult to do," said Representative Richard J. Ross, Republican from Wrentham. "Once I did it, I realized I had honored my parents, a legacy my family had of treating people a certain way.

"I hope people won't be one- issue people and will look at my total record and understand that at the core I am a very good Republican. I realize I've opened myself up to that. If they think they have someone who can represent their interests better, it's certainly their prerogative and choice."

Geraldo Alicea, a freshman Democrat from Charlton, said he wasn't lying last year when he told voters he supported the amendment. "That's what I believed at that point," he said. "I was not misinforming voters. Once I got elected, I had more resources available to understand what was taking place. I also had more time and opportunity to hear what others had to say. I think the people in my district, when they talk to me, will realize I voted with my heart, in good conscience. Once they see how important it was that I make the right vote, they will understand."

The two other lawmakers singled out by Mineau are Representative Paul J.P. Loscocco, Republican of Holliston, and freshman Representative Angelo J. Puppolo Jr. , a Democrat from Wilbraham.

Nine incumbent lawmakers switched their position and opposed the amendment on Thursday, just five months after giving it their support.