FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 15, 2004

Statement on Governor Romney’s Press Conference

Statement of Mary L. Bonauto of Glad Regarding Governor Romney’s Press Conference

“You don’t change the rules just because you lost - twice,” said Mary Bonauto, attorney with Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), the group that successfully represented the 7 plaintiff couples in the Goodridge marriage case.  The laws making the Attorney General the gatekeeper for legal actions by the Commonwealth date from 1805 and have not been changed at all since 1932.  Those laws require the Attorney General to make all legal calls for the Commonwealth even when there are policy disagreements between the Governor and the Attorney General.

“This is a last ditch and hopeless effort by the Governor to single-handedly change the law and deny rights to gay and lesbian couples in the Commonwealth,” added Bonauto.  Attorney General Reilly vigorously defended the Goodridge case, criticized the ruling and assisted in drafting the civil union bill considered and rejected by the Supreme Judicial Court in February.  But in refusing to go to Court for a stay, the Attorney General acknowledged reality:  the case is over.  “The only person playing politics here is Governor Romney.  This is utter disrespect for the Attorney General and rule of law,” added Bonauto.

Governor Romney’s request for a stay is riddled with legal flaws. Among other things, the Governor’s request would deny any rights for marriage-eligible couples for 2½ years and provide them nothing in the interim.