Massachusetts lawmakers have advanced a proposed amendment that would ban gay marriage in the state. Further approval of the amendment is still needed before it makes it to Massachusetts’ 2008 ballot.

The amendment would need to be approved by 50 members of the current Legislature and 50 members of the new Legislature before going to voters on the 2008 ballot. [Today] 61 lawmakers backed moving the measure forward, compared to 132 opposed.

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“This is not just another question for popular decision. This is a question, under the equal protection clause, about what freedoms the minority is entitled to,” [Patrick, a gay-marriage supporter], told reporters after meeting with [House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi]. “This is the first time that the petition process has ever been used to consider reinserting discrimination into the constitution.”

(Heel click: Shakespeare’s Sister)