Massachusetts same-sex ruling draws applause, objections

By JOAN HAINES, For the Chronicle

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court's ruling Tuesday declaring that state's ban on same-sex marriage as unconstitutional made some Montanans happy and horrified others.

The minister serving the Unitarian-Universalist fellowship of Bozeman, Lois Van Leer, called the decision "an incredible victory, because ultimately for all of us -- whatever our orientation -- it makes all of our relationships equal."

But Brett LaShelle, associate pastor of the Evangelical Free Church of Bozeman, said Tuesday same-sex marriages are "unhealthy."

"I can't think of any way same-sex marriage is good for our community or country," LaShelle said. "The sin in not homosexuality, but the act of homosexuality. Just as the sin for a heterosexual is acting on sexual desires outside of marriage."

The Massachusetts ruling won't take effect for 180 days, according to the Associated Press. The Supreme Court left the details up to the Legislature.

A representative of the couples who filed the lawsuit said the only task left for legislators would be to produce changes in the law that would allow gay couples to marry.

In Montana, state law defines marriage as a union of a man and a woman.

And that's the way Kelly Jennaway, associate pastor of Grace Bible Church, wants it to remain.

"On the issue of same-sex marriages, I believe that God's word opposes that," Jennaway said. "The Bible is clear that marriage is to be between a man and a woman and that has been revealed from the beginning."

But gay-rights advocates hold out hope that the Massachusetts ruling is indicative of a national trend.

The decision could have a "domino effect that will knock over Montana's domino," said Karl Olson of Helena, executive director for PRIDE, a Montana gay and lesbian rights group.

"Some day same-sex couples in Montana will have the freedom to marry. That could come through the Legislature or the courts or the U.S. Supreme Court. I can't predict," he said.

The ruling "falls in the realm of equal rights," said counselor Shaun Phoenix of Belgrade.

"The dominant culture has expressed the opinion that lesbians and gays don't want to form family values," Phoenix said. "(But) Sexuality, commitment, creating families, honoring partnerships are part of being human."

Just last week, the Montana Supreme Court heard arguments about whether the Montana university system could deny health benefits to partners of same-sex couples. That lawsuit was filed by two couples affiliated with the University of Montana. A decision is expected sometime next year, according to the Associated Press.

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