My witness to Equality history
A column by State Rep. William N. Brownsberger
I write to share a wonderful moment in the long march of human wisdom and to thank you again for electing me to play a part in it.
On June 14, the combined House and Senate in a Constitutional Convention voted to reject the proposed constitutional amendment which would take away the freedom to marry from gays and lesbians.
The final vote really wasn’t close, with only 45 legislators voting to put the amendment on the ballot. The Constitution requires that 50 legislators vote for a proposed amendment in order for it to reach the ballot.
In fact, I believe that there were additional votes that the Speaker could have taken away from the amendment if he had needed them.
State Rep. William N. Brownsberger, D, North Cambridge
After months of maneuvering, the actual convention lasted less than 15 minutes. The House was called to order. The Sergeant-at-Arms announced and ushered in the senators, who crowded together down in the well of the House Chamber.
After putting on her glasses and taking gavel in hand and calling the convention to order, the Senate President immediately brought the question to a vote. The Clerk of the Senate called the roll of senators, revealing two previous yes-voting Senators abandoning the question, leaving only five Senators in support.
Then the Speaker opened the House roll call board for voting. As the lights went on – red for ‘no’ and green for ‘yes’ -- I was one of a team of legislators, under Alice Wolf’s leadership, each monitoring one column of the six columns of lights for surprises.
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