In stark contrast to her predecessor Tom Reilly, Attorney General Martha Coakley told members of the Mass Lesbian and Gay Bar Association that she would challenge the constitutionality of a ban on same-sex marriage, should the voters approve it in November 2008. The Boston Globe (5/12/07) reported that in her speech, Coakley noted the success of more than 8500 same-sex marriages. She said, “the sky has not fallen, life goes on. The institution of marriage is alive and well in the Commonwealth. . . . It has been made more inclusive. I think a seamless integration of an ancient institution with the modern but welcome recognition of the reality of the diversity of sexual orientation has made our state stronger.”

The LGBT community has a strong ally in Attorney General Coakley.