RALLY FOR SSM IN BOSTON; DEMS SPLIT: From the Boston Globe

Democratic state Senator Jarrett T. Barrios, addressing more than 1,000 gay marriage supporters at a State House rally yesterday, pointed to Massachusetts Democratic Party Chairman Philip W. Johnston and said,
"Discrimination in any form will not be tolerated in his party."

The line drew loud cheers from the crowd, which included a dozen Democratic lawmakers. But if the rally made it seem the state's Democratic Party is united in its support of gay marriage, looks are deceiving.

In fact, the Supreme Judicial Court's Nov. 18 ruling declaring same-sex marriage constitutional has opened a fissure in the state's dominant party.

Some of the state's most prominent Democrats -- such as House Speaker Thomas M. Finneran, Senate President Robert E. Travaglini and Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly -- do not support gay marriage. Reilly, who is considered a potential gubernatorial candidate in 2006, has suggested that civil unions would comply with the SJC's ruling. Travaglini and the state Senate have asked the SJC for its opinion of a Senate civil
unions bill. Finneran has supported a constitutional amendment that would
ban gay marriage, a measure that is being pushed this year by Representative Philip Travis, a Democrat.

And yet gay marriage is backed by other Democrats, many in leadership positions, such as House Majority Leader Salvatore F. DiMasi, who attended yesterday's pro-gay marriage rally.

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posted by Eve at 6:38 PM VOTE

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