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.

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