'Always been about a man and a woman'

REPRESENTATIVE FRANK M. HYNES, 63

Democrat of Marshfield Years in Legislature, 20

A former junior high school guidance counselor, Representative Frank Hynes saw the Supreme Judicial Court's Nov. 18 ruling as a homework assignment. He hit the books, studying psychology texts, histories of marriage, legal tomes, and more.

"It was `Wow,' a judgment that caused me to reflect deeply, to get in touch with what marriage means," said Hynes, also a former Catholic priest who has been married more than 30 years.

Not long after the ruling was handed down, Hynes found himself on the House floor during a lull, and struck up a conversation with colleague Shaun P. Kelly, a Dalton Republican.

At the time, Hynes felt fairly certain that he would vote in favor of the amendment banning gay marriage, but Kelly's comments gave the Democrat pause.

"He was coming from the libertarian point of view, saying `Why should government be involved with marriage at all?' " Hynes recalled. "I didn't have the answer."

With Kelly's remarks on his mind, Hynes hit the books again.

Ultimately, the veteran legislator decided it was a legitimate role for government to protect the traditional definition of marriage. He described himself as a strong supporter of civil unions for gay couples, but said marriage, while it has changed over time, has "always been about a man and a woman, about children."

Still, the process hasn't been easy. And the position reached by Hynes -- who in the 1980s supported a then-controversial bill to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation -- has upset some of his usual allies.

Recently, as Hynes began airing his view, backers of same-sex marriage confronted him.

"Norma Shapiro, the lobbyist for the ACLU, says to me, `You know, Frank, the only ones who believe the way you do are white males who are over 60,' " said Hynes.

"And I said, `You're describing me.' "

For all the external sources Hynes drew from in making his decision, and all those he listened to, Hynes said the ultimate answer to his feelings about marriage resided within himself.

"When you run for elective office, you have to have a core sense of who you are, and your beliefs, but there is always a conflict," Hynes said. "You can't please everyone."