Today Massachusetts lawmakers made history by blocking a proposed anti-LGBT constitutional amendment effort that would have brought the rights of same-sex couples to the voters of Massachusetts.

The amendment question needed a mere 50 votes to be placed on the 2008 ballot. A harrowing 151 lawmakers voted against the amendment - with only 45 lawmakers voting to approve.

"In Massachusetts today, the freedom to marry is secure," said Gov. Deval Patrick who has been a stupendous supporter of same-sex marriage. He worked right up to the vote to encourage lawmakers to oppose this devisive measure.

Presidential candidate and Former Gov. Mitt Romney called the vote "a regrettable setback" and said it makes it more important now to pass a national amendment banning gay marriage. [Big BOO for Mitt!] I say Romney for A**hole of the year!

MassEquality, the lead organization that worked to defeat this amendment, gave credit for the winning vote to the leadership of Governor Deval Patrick, Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray, Senate President Terry Murray and House Speaker Sal DiMasi, who worked tirelessly to defeat this amendment.

Congratulations Massachusetts. You make ALL of us around the country very proud of your hard work and determination. Let's hope that all those homophobes will finally let the 8,500 same-sex couples that have legally married there since May 2004 enjoy their marriages in peace.

You may have missed:
Better Angels
MA Gov. Deval Patrick Steps Up Support for Gays [Towleroad]
Rhode Island to recognize Massachusetts Gay Marriages [Towleroad]

Here's the latest video from MassEquality Education Fund using Wisconsin as a cautionary tale to Massachusetts legislators who must decide whether to advance a constitutional repeal of same-sex marriage to voters. Milwaukee's very own activist-extraordinaire Ray Vahey and Sen. Lena Taylor are featured. Also includes Rep. Mark Pocan and Sen. Mark Miller - both from Madison.

Let's hope that the politicians in Massachusetts vote with their better angels.

You have have missed:
Ray Vahey: The Life & Love of an Activist

ABSTAIN THIS: WISCONSIN TO GIVE UP VIRGINITY FEDERAL FUNDING FOR ABSTINENCE-ONLY EDUCATION
In 1998 when President Bush asked Congress to carve out $25 million dollars for an abstinence-only curriculum in America's schools only California told the goverment to shove it. Despite knowing the devestating effects of teaching abstinence-only education many states opened their wallets to this new funding.

Things are beginning to change and states are starting to revolt against the federal mandates. Wisconsin will join five other states - Ohio, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Montana, New Jersey - this year in turning down the federal abstinence-only funding.

In Ohio, Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland said that he didn't see the point in taking part in the controversial State Abstinence Education Program anymore.

"Just saying no is not working," said Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood, which advocates comprehensive sex education, including contraceptive information. "These are efforts by the federal government to fund ideological programs, not healthcare or medical programs."

Opponents of comprehensive sex education insist that young people that get the "information" will start having sex. Somehow these people believe that keeping young people in the dark will somehow help them. Like they are doing them a huge favor. What happens when these youth turn 18, graduate from high school, and are out in the world and have no idea how to use a condom? Will they go ask their parents? I don't think so.

It's as easy as this: When you go to the store and buy an umbrella do you somehow make it rain? No! You buy an umbrella in case it rains, so you don't get wet. Teaching kids about safer sex and condoms doesn't make them have sex. It protects them WHEN they do.

I DO: NEW HAMPSHIRE TO GET CIVIL UNIONS??
When New Hampshire's Senate approves that state's new Civil Unions bill and it goes to Governor John Lynch it will become the fifth state to provide protections to same-sex couples and their families. According to Rep. Mo Baxley, who serves as the executive director for the Freedom to Marry Coaltion, the bill will pass the Senate with all 14 democrats and a few republicans voting to approve.

The bill made it through New Hampshire's House last week by a vote of 243-129. If this bill makes it through New Hampshire's Senate and is signed by Gov. John Lynch that will make New Hampshire the first state in the country to provide legal recognition and protections for same-sex couples without judicial intervention.

There are currently three other states in the United States that provide civil unions: Vermont, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Only Massachusetts allows same-sex couples to enter into marriages. California and Maine have limited access to rights through Domestic Partner Registries.

"We support our state in every way asked of us as citizens, yet we do not get equal treatment from the state in return," said New Hampshire Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson. "What we seek in the civil realm is the equal treatment by the state government in supporting this development of our relations with the legal, financial and societal underpinnings which are afforded married couples at the very moment they say, 'I do.' "

The bill is expected to get a vote out of committee this week and be up for a full Senate vote next week.

V. Gene Robinson, of New Hampshire, the Episcopal church's first openly-gay bishop, speaks in favor of civil unions during a public hearing before the state Senate Judiciary Committee, Tuesday, April 10, 2007, at the Statehouse in Concord, N.H. (AP Photo/Jim Cole)

MAYBE BABY: COLORADO OPENS DOOR TO ADOPTION?
Colorado seems very close to opening the door for same-sex couples to adopt children. Colorado's Senate gave initial backing to the bill (House Bill 1330) late Wednesday despite Republican grumblings that the aim was to promote the homosexual agenda. The bill has already been approved by the House and needs to be voted on once more in the Senate before it goes to Governor Bill Ritter.

Colorado law currently allows gay/lesbian/bisexual individuals the right to adopt but doesn't allow same-sex parents to jointly adopt. This bill would allow second-parent adoptions which would allow same-sex couples and other non-traditional families like grandparents raising their grandchildren to protect their families.

"It's not about the children at all. It's about furthering this homosexual agenda and about attempting to continue to narrow the gap between marriage and the concept of a homosexual union," said Sen. Dave Schultheis, R-Colorado Springs.

Than who is this about Mr. Schultheis? You? Me?

It's about children and families. Wouldn't our world be much better off if every child was being raised by loving parents - that also had access to health insurance? Now that's a novel idea!

And, do people still really use this "homosexual agenda" thing? Come on! You don't even want to know what my homosexual agenda is.....