Issue Position: Marriage Equality

Issue Position

In perhaps his most important vote in his first year in the Massachusetts legislature, Tom voted against efforts to put the question of same-sex marriage on the ballot in Massachusetts in 2008. If not for victories in 2006 by Tom and five of his pro marriage equality colleagues against opponents of marriage equality, the ballot initiative might have gone forward and reversed the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court decision approving same-sex marriage.

How Tom will Make a Difference

Tom believes, unlike opponents of marriage equality, who instead support the Defense of Marriage Act, that by definition, marriage is a civil right. He will support efforts to repeal DOMA and advocate that the national government follow the example that Massachusetts has set for marriage equality. He believes that preserving marriage equality, and extending it across the nation, gives more people the opportunity to express their loyalty to each other, honor their commitments, and uphold the values of marriage.

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