Massachusetts has become the focal point in the national debate over gay marriages.
This week, the state's highest court said legislation enforcing an earlier ruling on gay rights must allow same-sex couples to have full and equal marriage rights.
Lawmakers opposed to the idea think they might still be able to craft a bill that would spell out some "rational" basis for prohibiting the weddings.
They're also considering a constitutional amendment. A convention for that purpose begins next Wednesday. But an amendment couldn't be on a ballot before 2006, which means Massachusetts could offer gay weddings well before that.
One state lawmaker says he doesn't think fair-minded people will want to have discrimination locked in to the constitution. Meantime, President George W. Bush's spokesman said the president finds Wednesday's court ruling "deeply troubling."
Rep. Barney Frank, who's openly gay and represents Massachusetts, said that fewer than half of the members of Congress so far have embraced a constitutional amendment that would prohibit gay marriage.
He said the ruling of his state's top court in no way affects traditional marriage or couples.
Commentator Pat Buchanan, who twice has run for president, said he thinks gay marriage will be a wedge issue in the 2004 campaign -- and that Bush will benefit from it.
He said that if John Kerry -- the current frontrunner for the Democratic nomination -- supports gay marriage, it will be the political equivalent of drinking "hemlock."
Gay Divorce?
Meanwhile, a Washington appeals court says divorce laws do apply to homosexual couples who are splitting up.
The judges upheld a lower-court order for Julia Robertson to divide her assets with ex-partner Lynn Gormley. Robertson is a doctor. Gormley is a nurse and sued after they broke up in 1998.
The trial judge ruled that even though Washington state doesn't recognize same-sex marriages, their 10-year relationship was "sufficiently marriage-like" that divorce rules covering division of property do apply.
The ruling is apparently a first in Washington state.
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Read a copy of the court's 
Marriages Vs. Unions
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Can Gays Change?
