BOSTON, June 14 (UPI)

Massachusetts legislators Thursday narrowly decided against letting voters determine whether to ban same-sex marriage. Lawmakers voted 151-45 not to allow a proposed constitutional amendment go before voters. The amendment would have reversed a 2003 state Supreme Court ruling that made same-sex marriage legal. The measure needed 50 votes to win a place on the 2008 ballot. Lee Swislow of Gay and Lesbian Advocated and Defenders told WBZ-AM, Boston, the vote was a triumph. But Kris Mineau of the Massachusetts Family Institute said opponents of gay marriage are determined to allow voters to have their say, even though mounting a new effort will take years, WBZ reported. Since May 2004, more than 8,500 same-sex couples have married in the state.

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