Weeks ahead crucial for foes, supporters of gay marriage
By Yvonne Abraham, Globe Staff,
Long before Election Day 2006 -- the date when voters could cast ballots on a constitutional amendment that would decide the future of gay marriage in Massachusetts -- another date looms that may be far more crucial: May 17, when the state is expected to permit gays and lesbians to marry.

Supporters and opponents of gay marriage agree that if licenses are issued next month as expected, the amendment that lawmakers recently passed to ban gay marriage and establish civil unions in 2006 will probably lose steam. So now is make-or-break time for opponents of same-sex marriage, who are pressing Governor Mitt Romney to block the licenses any way he can, even if that means tying the matter up in court.

"We're still hopeful Romney is going to act in what we believe to be his full constitutional authority, to delay and/or prevent the implementation of the Supreme Judicial Court decision" granting marriage licenses, said Ronald A. Crews, spokesman for the Coalition for Marriage.


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Students forming gay-straight alliance

Students at a second Washoe County high school are forming a gay-straight alliance — part of a network of clubs starting in schools across the nation and one that some local students, teachers and gay activists said has helped promote tolerance on campuses.


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Gay issues in limelight as Pride Week begins
By Dave Ranney, Journal-World
Lawrence, Kansas This year's events get under way Monday with a 7:30 p.m. lecture at Woodruff Auditorium in the Kansas Union featuring Sabrina Sojourner, the first openly gay woman to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.