// BEGIN editorial data
 var i = 0;
var GayMarriageTL = new Array();
GayMarriageTL.ID = "GayMarriageTL";
GayMarriageTL.ID_WB = 4998450;
GayMarriageTL.sPubDate = "5/17/2004 7:07:48 PM GMT";
GayMarriageTL.mainsectionID = ""
GayMarriageTL.navsectionID = "4363547"
GayMarriageTL.appFmt = 2;
GayMarriageTL.appWidth = 460;
GayMarriageTL.appHeader = "Timeline|Gay marriage timeline<br>";
GayMarriageTL.appDeck = "Some important dates in the gay marriage debate in Massachusetts";
GayMarriageTL.appFooter = "Source: The Associated Press";
GayMarriageTL.appNavStyle = 3;
GayMarriageTL.appLayout = 1;
GayMarriageTL.copyHeight = 200;
GayMarriageTL.copyMargin = 9;
GayMarriageTL[i++] = new Array("","April 11, 2001","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
GayMarriageTL[i-1].body = "Seven same-sex couples, denied marriage licenses, sue in Suffolk Superior Court in Boston to challenge the state's gay marriage ban.";

GayMarriageTL[i++] = new Array("","May 8, 2002","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
GayMarriageTL[i-1].body = "Suffolk Superior Court judge rules against granting marriage licenses to seven gay couples, saying the legality of same-sex marriage should be decided by the Legislature, not the courts.";

GayMarriageTL[i++] = new Array("","July 17, 2002","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
GayMarriageTL[i-1].body = "Lawmakers adjourn constitutional convention without taking a vote on amendment that would have banned gay marriage in the state. The amendment was initiated by a petition signed by 130,000 citizens.";

GayMarriageTL[i++] = new Array("","March 4, 2003","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
GayMarriageTL[i-1].body = "The state Supreme Judicial Court hears arguments in case brought by the seven gay couples to legalize same-sex marriage.";

GayMarriageTL[i++] = new Array("","Nov. 18, 2003","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
GayMarriageTL[i-1].body = "The SJC rules it is unconstitutional to bar gay couples from marriage, and gives the Legislature 180 days to come up with a solution to allow gays to wed. President Bush, in a visit to London, criticizes the decision and vows to work with Congress to \"defend the sanctity of marriage.\"";

GayMarriageTL[i++] = new Array("","Dec. 11, 2003","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
GayMarriageTL[i-1].body = "The Massachusetts Senate votes to ask the SJC if Vermont-style civil unions would satisfy the court's decision legalizing gay marriage.";

GayMarriageTL[i++] = new Array("","Feb. 4, 2004","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
GayMarriageTL[i-1].body = "The SJC clarifies its earlier ruling, saying only full, equal marriage rights for gay couples &#151; rather than civil unions &#151; are constitutional.";

GayMarriageTL[i++] = new Array("","Feb. 11, 2004","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
GayMarriageTL[i-1].body = "Massachusetts Legislature opens constitutional convention with debate on a proposed constitutional ban on gay marriage.";

GayMarriageTL[i++] = new Array("","Feb. 12, 2004","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
GayMarriageTL[i-1].body = "Lawmakers adjourn convention deadlocked, after failing to pass three separate proposed bans on same-sex marriage.";

GayMarriageTL[i++] = new Array("","March 11, 2004","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
GayMarriageTL[i-1].body = "Lawmakers recess constitutional convention, but come steps closer to passing a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage and allow for civil unions. Legislators agree to reconvene on March 29.";

GayMarriageTL[i++] = new Array("","March 29, 2004","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
GayMarriageTL[i-1].body = "State Legislature approves proposed constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage but legalize Vermont-style civil unions.";

GayMarriageTL[i++] = new Array("","May 17, 2004","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
GayMarriageTL[i-1].body = "Marriages of gay couples begin.<br>";

	// END editorial data