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Boston, Massachusetts — Massachusetts lawmakers who support amending the state constitution to bar same-sex marriage got a beating from Jesse 'The Body' Ventura Monday.

The onetime wrestler and former Gov. of Minnesota accused state representatives of copping out in their desire to put the gay marriage issue to voters.

"We have a representative-style government. Represent your people and vote and stand by what you believe in," said Ventura, who as a professional wrestler was known for his flamboyant costumes. "Civil rights issues should not be put on the ballot."

Looking every inch as though her was prepared to take down any lawmaker who disagreed, Ventura was joined by State Auditor Joseph DeNucci, a former boxer in condemning the proposed amendment.

"We're two tough guys here to show support for a basic human right," DeNucci told a Beacon Hill news conference.

Clad in jeans and sneakers and wearing a full beard and a shaggy ring of hair, Ventura asked, "How is my marriage under attack if two gays or lesbians down the street want to make a lifelong commitment to themselves?

"Love is bigger than government," said Ventura, a one-term governor elected on the Reform Party ticket. "Think about that."

Ventura is currently a fellow at Harvard University's Institute of Politics.

Next week the House and Senate will again in joint session to consider the proposed amendment.  The so-called compromise measure which would permit civil unions has received three votes, and still needs final approval March 29.  It must be approved again in the next session of the legislature before going to voters in 2006.

Meanwhile, a citizen group is pressing forward with its own proposed amendment that would ban civil unions as well as marriage. 

Despite the attempts to ban same-sex marriage, gay and lesbian couples will able to legally marry in Massachusetts this spring as a result of last November's state supreme court ruling that said under the current Massachusetts constitution same-sex couples cannot be denied the right to marry.

by Margo Williams
365Gay.com Newscenter
Boston Bureau
©365Gay.com® 2004

This article originally appeared on 365gay.com. Republished with permission.

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